LUCKNOW, Dec. 23 -- It was a dream come true for talented left-arm pacer Naman Tiwari when Lucknow Super Giants bought him for Rs.1 crore at the Indian Premier League auction in Abu Dhabi last week. The 20-year-old was expecting a franchise to show interest, but wasn't expecting the big pay packet from his home team. The Lucknow player, now travelling with former champions Uttar Pradesh to Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournament as a net bowler, said: "If given a chance, I will give my best for the side here." "My focus is on my performance, and even as a net bowler I have ample opportunity to sharpen my skills with the UP team before the IPL. I was expecting a call in the IPL, but wasn't expecting this much money," Tiwari said on Monday. The son of an insurance agent, Tiwari's base price was Rs.30 lakh, but he has been in the radar of IPL team scouts, having made a mark at the 2024 U19 World Cup in South Africa where India finished runners-up to Australia. Tiwari, who has made a mark in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, has an impressive in-swinger and a yorker, skills that make him effective with the new ball as a potential death-over bowler. Tiwari's cricket growth began on the maidans of Lucknow. The pacer who idolises Jasprit Bumrah, made a mark in Lucknow cricket where over 150 clubs and academies get a chance to showcase their talent in the four divisions of the local league. His talent was first discovered at 16 in a pace hunt programme here and he rapidly rose through age-group cricket. He showcased pace on his U19 debut, claiming 15 wickets in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy at an economy of 4.2, which included a haul of 5/23. This helped gain selection to the India U19 World Cup squad. He took 12 wickets in the tournament at an economy of 5.17, troubling openers with late swing and bouncers with peak pace touching 145kph. Tiwari graduated to the senior level in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, the lanky bowler taking 22 wickets for Uttar Pradesh, blending seam movement and cutters on lively tracks. As has been the case with most pacers who make a mark at a young age, injuries tested Tiwari post the U19 World Cup. A stress fracture sidelined him for six months, raising concerns. "Those were the tough days as injuries kept me away from the game, but I didn't lose heart. I kept working hard on recovery with gym work and net sessions," said Tiwari. "I am fully fit and am bowling perfectly with natural rhythm. Playing before the home crowd would be quite exciting." Tiwari did well at this year's UPT20 League for Noida Kings, bagging 19 wickets at an economy of 8.20, dismissing big names like Rinku Singh with inswingers. It helped keep LSG scouts looking for back-up pacers in a side that has SA fast bowler Anrich Nortje, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav interested. Pre-season camps highlighted his adaptability: Powerplay swing (avg 1st over economy 6.5) and death-over yorkers (18% false shots in trials). It keeps Tiwari hopeful of making his IPL debut and impact as LSG bid to shake off two poor seasons, finishing seventh in 2024 and 2025....