TNPL is a great platform from which you can progress to the IPL: Karthik Meiyappan

Karthik Meiyappan, UAE cricketer, pursues IPL dream after TNPL debut.

Nearly three years ago, Karthik Meiyappan etched his name in the record books when he performed a hat-trick for the UAE against Sri Lanka in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

The leg-spinner, who has played 31 ODIs and 15 T20Is for the UAE, has since taken a leap of faith, returning to Chennai last year to pursue his career and find a place in the IPL.

On Sunday, the 24-year-old took that first step when he made his TNPL debut for Siechem Madurai Panthers against Salem Spartans here at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground.

“The quality of cricket and the standards are pretty high. Being a spinner in Tamil Nadu, it’s challenging considering how good the players are against spin. I am looking forward to that challenge. The TNPL is a great platform from which you can progress to the IPL, and as a leg-spinner, I fancy my chances. So that’s the reason I moved back,” explained Karthik.

Born in Chennai, he moved to the UAE at the age of seven, where he began playing the game and went on to be part of the under-19 side and then progressed to the senior team.

Recalling his moment of glory, the 24-year-old said: “Playing the World Cup itself was a great experience. Going into the Sri Lankan game, it’s extremely hard for you to dream of a hat-trick. It just happens by itself.”

“I felt I planned out the over well. I was going to back myself with the googly (for the hat-trick ball), like I always did. I still feel like he (Dasun Shanaka) picked it, but then it landed perfectly, came out well, out of the hands, it felt great.”