Karn Sharma, a journey from rejection to selection

New Delhi: Once a discard of the Uttar Pradesh state Ranji team, Karn Sharma, has received a call to be a part of team India's test side and that too against Australia in their home. The team is currently playing Sri Lanka in a 5 ODI match series, leading 3-0.The tour will start on 4th December amd the selectors have chosen a team keeping in mind the 2015 World Cup which will be held at Australia and New Zealand. Karn Sharma is another cricketer from Uttar Pradesh to make it to the Indian team in recent times after the exploits of fellow cricketers Mohammed Shami and Bhuveneshwar Kumar.He was also selected for England ODIs earlier this year but didn't got an opportunity to play. Karn Sharma originally belongs from Meerut. He became a household name when he fetched a whopping Rs 3.75 crore at the IPL auction for domestic players and was selected by Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. While expressing his happiness on his selection Karn said “"I take my batting as seriously as I take leg-spin bowling. I would like to be known as a specialist all-rounder and make a name for myself in international cricket," Karn, who has played 33 first-class matches for Railways told PTI after he was selected for the England ODI series. "Yes, I am very happy that I have got a call-up for the senior team but at the same time I must tell you that I don`t work hard expecting things. I work hard because I know that hardwork pays off in the end. "Playing in IPL has been a learning experience for me but this A tour to Australia was in a different league. I believe you learn to handle pressure better. Even though it was India A, I was representing my country. I had a bit of role in India A`s win in one of the matches. I felt so good after winning the match against South Africa A," said Karn, whose 39 not out and 2/35 at Darwin was a match-winning effort.As the news of his team India selection reached to his residence in Meerut, there was mood of happiness and Joy among his family members. The family celebrated the news by distributing sweets.Karn's mother Poonam Sharma works as a Physical Education teacher and was very much happy about his son's selection in the team.Karn's father works in a publication house. While describing Karn's love for the game, she told that Karn was excited about the game from his childhood days. Karn used to go to the roof of the house in the night as late as 11 PM to play the game .Karn got married to Nidhi, last year in the month of November who is also the residence of Meerut. Karn regards the spinning legend Shane Warne as his idol and also Yuvraj Singh as the one of the cricketers whom he had followed. Karn said that all his family members have supported him during his tough days. Karn said “ If I get a chance to represent Team India in the upcoming tournament I will give my best and will bowl according to my strengths. Asked if he was feeling any pressure of replacing someone like Amit Mishra, who has been around for a long time now, Karn said: "I don`t think in those lines. My job will be to wait for my chance and perform to the best of my ability. I know that World Cup is not far away and it`s also my dream to represent the country in a World Cup."Karn, who has been an understudy of Murali Kartik in Railways, gave a lot of credit to the former left-arm spinner for helping him develop into a good bowler."I would like to express my gratitude to Murali Kartik for helping me from the time I came into Railways team. I practised leg-spin since I was a kid but it was Katy bhai (as Railway boys affectionately call Kartik), who explained to me subtle nuances of leg spin bowling. I am also thankful to Railways coach Abhay Sharma. I have reached here because of these people. My endeavour will be to learn as much as possible from the Indian dressing room," he concluded.