India, April 28 -- For Sahejad Pathan, a 29-year-old fast bowler, cricket has carried the weight of responsibility since losing his father during Covid. His breakthrough came in 2023 with a five-wicket haul on Ranji debut, but the momentum stalled soon after. Just as quickly, he was dropped, and the rise paused mid-flight. A trial in Hyderabad brought him back into the mix as a net bowler in an IPL setup. "I gave a trial in Hyderabad and got selected, and since then I feel the journey is really growing me as a player." Being a support bowler does not feel like you are outside the IPL; it feels like you are inside it," he says. One of his biggest learnings has come from bowling to Abhishek Sharma. "He is already a star but the most disciplined in the nets. He speaks to me and gives me small inputs every time I bowl. That kind of attention from top players helps you grow." For Pathan, the goal is simple now: "I want to play the IPL next year."...