Published By: Saksham Mishra

Avesh Khan's rise and rise in T20s

Some still believe that it was unfair for Avesh Khan to not make it to the Indian squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Waiting in the queue

Avesh Khan was on fire in IPL 2021. Playing for Delhi Capitals, he was in a different zone altogether as he finished the season with 24 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 18.75 and an economy rate of just 7.37.

Along with Harshal Patel, he was easily the most impressive Indian pace bowler in the league. However, the Indian selectors did not want to take any major risks and went in with the tried and tested combination of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, JaspritBumrah and Shardul Thakur.

However, that did not yield the anticipated fruit and India was knocked out of the competition quite early after defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand.

While it is easier to say in hindsight that a bowler like Avesh Khan, who had impressed recently in the IPL in a similar set of conditions would have been a better option, he will be looking forward to break into the Indian squad for the next showpiece event and show what the team missed out on.

Continuing the good work

Although he was not at his best in IPL 2022, he still held his own, picking up 18 wickets from 13 matches. He formed a brilliant partnership with another upcoming Indian pacer Mohsin Khan and played a major role in taking Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs in their very first year in the competition.

Avesh has now been drafted in the Indian team under the new regime of Rahul Dravid and has been getting consistent opportunities. Avesh featured in all the five matches against South Africa played right after the IPL and also picked up his best T20 figures in the series.

In the mix for T20 WC

Hopefully, he will remain in the thick of things leading up to the 2022 T20 World Cup set to be played in Australia and the selectors will right the wrongs of the past.

The thing that stands out about Avesh Khan is his versatility. He has the ability to bowl well over 140 kph but it is not his pace which is his unique selling proposition.

He can bowl full as well as short and has venom on the ball doing both. His yorkers and slower deliveries are also polished and he can be a real asset if used in the right manner.