New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
For Punjab leg-spinner Kartik Chadha, breaking into the Indian cricket team is a daunting challenge, but he believes handling the intense scrutiny that comes with playing for the country could prove even tougher in the age of social media.
Kartik pointed to Virat Kohli as an example of the pressure faced by even the most successful Indian cricketers. While acknowledging that his own achievements are nowhere near Kohli’s, the young spinner said the criticism directed at established stars underlines the mental demands of playing at the highest level.
“Because now that social media has entered the picture, Virat Kohli also faces hatred and criticism. We are nothing compared to what he has achieved. He has done extraordinary things for India and continues to do so, but he still receives hate,” Kartik told IANS in an exclusive interaction.
According to Kartik, developing the right mindset will be crucial if he eventually reaches international cricket. He believes his deceptive googly can be a major weapon, but confidence and the ability to handle scrutiny will be equally important.
“The real challenge is figuring out how to handle this. So, mindset will be the key challenge,” he said.
His exposure to IPL cricket, including his stint with Chennai Super Kings, has brought the India dream closer, while also making him aware of how difficult the final step is.
“Reaching the level of Indian cricket is extremely challenging. Playing for CSK and heading there was significant, but just going to India is a major milestone. Now, you must perform consistently to aim for India,” Kartik said.
Rather than allowing the prospect of selection to become a source of pressure, the 22-year-old wants to focus on the opportunities in front of him.
“My focus is on whatever platform I have—whether now or in the future. That’s what cricket demands: staying focused on the present. While representing India is important, the key is to excel in the present,” he said.
Kartik believes excessive focus on the future can hurt current performances, particularly in domestic and franchise cricket.
“Overthinking the future can jeopardise the current opportunities. Therefore, I concentrate on making the most of my present and giving my best,” he said.
The competition for places in Indian cricket, particularly among spinners, is another factor he is conscious of. Rather than worrying about the number of players competing for limited spots, Kartik wants to maximise every opportunity he gets.
“Considering India’s large population and the many people who play cricket, constantly thinking about the competition and the many spinners available makes me worried about my performance. Therefore, I want to focus on seizing the opportunities I have now,” he said.
His approach is ultimately centred on avoiding regrets.
“My goal is to do my best so that when I sleep, I have no regrets about not giving my all today. I believe I have tried my best, and I leave the rest to God,” Kartik said.
The leg-spinner also explained how he tries to respond when a batter gains the upper hand against him. He believes two successful shots can sometimes make a batter overconfident and create an opportunity for the bowler.
According to Kartik, a batter who connects with consecutive deliveries may begin believing that another boundary is inevitable, potentially causing him to take an unnecessary risk.
“In such moments, it’s important to ignore those previous successful shots and focus solely on the next ball. The margin for error should be minimal in that situation,” he said.
For Kartik, the key is to treat every delivery as a fresh contest rather than allowing the previous outcome to influence his next move.
As he continues to pursue his India ambition, the Punjab spinner believes that staying present, trusting his skills and developing the mental strength to handle pressure will be as important as the googly that remains his biggest weapon.
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