‘Came home and shaved my head’ – Suyash Sharma shares emotional story of failed U-19 trials

Suyash Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2023 campaign might be hanging by a thread this season, but they have unearthed a special talent in young legspinner Suyash Sharma. While the 19-year-old has been one of the breakthrough stars this term, he revealed an emotional story behind his full and luscious hair.

Two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders are renowned for handing a platform to talented spinners and Suyash Sharma becomes the latest entrant in that list. The 19-year-old leggie, who delivered a match-winning performance for the Men in Purple on his IPL debut, shared the secret behind his hairstyle.

The young leggie revealed the heartbreak he endured after he wasn’t selected for the U-19 trials despite performing well. He remembered crying after hearing the news. Furthermore, he was called up to the trials only to be sent back without being given an opportunity to display his skills, resulting in the youngster shaving his head in disappointment.

“Last year I gave trials for U-19 and performed well. I wasn’t selected and then at between 12:30 am and 1 am, they put out a list but I was asleep. I got up around 3 and kept crying for two hours. I was told they want to see me bowl once. I went there but was told they won’t entertain me. I returned crying, came home and shaved my head.

I was quite disappointed. Couldn’t believe despite doing well, this was happening to me. I vowed to work on my skills so much so that one day, they will call me up themselves. And then slowly hair started growing back, and performances also improved so I decided to let them be. The hairstyle suited me and hence the long hair,” Suyash told IPL in an interview.

I was not at all expecting to be picked: Suyash

A relatively unknown entity at the senior level, Suyash was picked up by KKR for his base price of INR 20 lakh at the IPL auction. The 19-year-old legspinner revealed the excitement of his selection by the renowned franchise ahead of the 16th edition of the tournament.

“I was appreciated during the (IPL) trials but wasn’t sure if it’s going to lead to selection. During auction, I was just returning from a 25-day trial. The moment I stepped out of the rickshaw, I got inundated with calls. It was then I relaised that probably I’ve been picked. My father was at the airport and he was also crying. Can’t explain that feeling. I was not at all expecting to be picked,” Suyash recalled.