Lucknow: Carrying forward Uttar Pradesh’s rich tradition of left-arm spin bowling, 20-year-old Kartik Yadav is fast emerging as the state’s newest red-ball hope with his impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he is currently leading the bowling charts.The slow left-arm spinner claimed his third consecutive five-wicket haul on Tuesday, returning figures of 5/104 against Baroda in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match at Green Park. With this performance, Kartik took his tally to 27 wickets in four matches this season, making him the leading wicket-taker in the current Ranji Trophy campaign.The son of Suresh Singh Yadav, a senior accountant with the CRPF, Kartik has followed the path once paved by Uttar Pradesh’s noted left-arm spinners Gyanendra Pandey, Rajinder Singh Hans and Mazhar Ali Ansari.
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His rise has been swift. After making an impact in the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy in the 2025-26 season, where he picked up 29 wickets in just three matches, Kartik has now carried that form into first-class cricket.This Ranji season, he has already produced a series of impressive spells, including 6/42 against Puducherry, 5/37 against Goa and 5/104 against Baroda.For Kartik, the inspiration comes from India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He considers the left-arm spinner a complete cricketer and tries to model his own game around making an all-round contribution. Speaking to TOI, he said, “In terms of skills and being a complete cricketer, Ravindra Jadeja has always been my role model. I have always wanted to contribute to the team in all three aspects — fielding, bowling and batting. However, I really like the mindset of Hardik Pandya.”His father initially wanted him to focus on studies, especially with his elder brother pursuing medicine and currently doing his internship as an MBBS doctor. However, once Kartik made his choice clear, his family stood firmly behind him. “My journey started in Prayagraj. My father used to tell me to study well so I could make something of myself. But when he saw my passion for cricket, he told me to just focus on the game and work hard,” Kartik said.Kartik trains at TNM Academy under Ajay Sharma and Manan Sharma, who is also a left-arm spinner. He credits both for guiding him through different stages of his development.Despite his strong start to the season and growing reputation, Kartik is not looking too far ahead. “I have not thought yet about when I will play for India. I stay focused on my current performances and work on what is in my control,” he said. One moment that gave him immense confidence came when he bowled in the nets to the Indian team during the India-Bangladesh Test match. Kartik was called up as a net bowler while his camp was underway and managed to dismiss Virat Kohli.“During the India-Bangladesh Test match, the Indian team needed net bowlers while our camp was going on, so I went there. I managed to get Virat Kohli out, and he said, ‘Well bowled.’ Hearing that from such a great player was more than enough for me and gave me a big boost,” Kartik said.Uttar Pradesh Ranji head coach Gyanendra Pandey, himself a former left-arm spinner, praised Kartik’s discipline and skill, saying the youngster was carrying forward the state’s spin-bowling legacy.
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