He was not even a teenager when Meerut lad Priyam Garg decided that cricket will one day win him his bread and butter. His love for the game grew incessantly after watching live matches on a mohalla TV set. Dad Naresh was selling milk, delivering newspapers and driving school vans to feed a family of six. Life was hard and the Gargs certainly couldn't afford a TV set at home. Then tragedy struck. Priyam, the youngest among five brothers and sisters, lost his mother when he was 11. Dad's support despite the enormous odds and the guidance of his coaches, especially Sanjay Rastogi and Kanaiyalal Tejwani, enabled Priyam to pursue his dreams. Consistent performances in 2018-19 won Priyam a Ranji Trophy berth for Uttar Pradesh and once he caught India coach Rahul Dravid's attention with a resolute double century against Gujarat in a Ranji preparatory game in Alur, his credentials got a big boost. Priyam will lead India in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa next year. The tournament starts January 17 and four-time champions India start against Sri Lanka on January 19 at Bloemfontein. Excerpts from an interview: