Beating Politics, How 'Substitute' Suyash Made 'Impact' In IPL Amid Father's Cancer Battle

Hailing from a lower middle-class background with no 'Godfather' in a corrupt cricket environment, Suyash Sharma is that quintessential Delhi cricketer, who is not a product of the system. In fact, he has got success despite the system. Not only he had to struggle due to lack of backing, he also had to deal with the stress related to the illness of his father who is fighting the dreaded cancer disease.

Delhi keeps churning this kind of phenomenal talent with monotonic regularity and long-haired 19-year-old from Bhajanpura in East Delhi is latest to join the bandwagon.

Making his debut as an 'impact substitute', the unheralded Suyash took 3 for 30 in KKR's 81-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore. His scalps included two recognised keeper-batters -- Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat apart from all-rounder Karn Sharma.

The wiry-framed leg-break bowler hardly showed signs of nerves. His arm-speed and ability to bowl leg-break and googly without any distinct change in action has surely caught the imagination of coaches and the fans.

Bhajanpura in Delhi gained notoriety three years back when it was one of the epicentres of city's communal riots.

"It wasn't an easy journey for Suyash. He was former Delhi spinner Suresh Batra's student and used to play for his club. We lost Suresh ji to COVID-19 and after that, he came to me as he wanted match practice. I gave him a chance to play for my Madras Club in the DDCA league and Run-Star club in open tournaments," noted Delhi coach Randhir Singh told PTI.

The last year had been extremely difficult for Suyash, who doesn't come from a financially well-off family.

"His father was detected with cancer. But I think he will forever be indebted to former Delhi spinner and current MI