IPL 2021: "The entire credit goes to Rishabh Pant" - Avesh Khan on his landmark IPL campaign with DC
Delhi Capitals (DC) fast bowler Avesh Khan has credited skipper Rishabh Pant for his stellar IPL 2021 campaign, which has yielded 23 wickets so far. He came into the season wicketless in the last two editions from the limited opportunities he availed, but is now second in the race for the IPL 2021 Purple Cap.
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Playing under the leadership of his former U-19 World Cup teammate has helped Avesh Khan's growth as he now competes with the likes of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. It was due to the absence of DC's South African speedsters that Avesh Khan was able to burst into the playing XI and cement his place.
With his raw pace and adaptability, Avesh Khan has managed to keep veteran Indian bowlers Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma on the sidelines.
While speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Avesh Khan asserted the importance of confidence that the team management bestows on the player:
"It is good for me that the team management have trusted me, especially Rishabh Pant. He is always telling me what to bowl, what not to bowl. The entire credit goes to him. We have played together since the U-19 days. He gives me a signal from behind the wicket and I know what delivery he wants me to bowl, then I just focus on executing the ball."
Avesh Khan came into the tournament after recovering from an injury he sustained while playing a warm-up game ahead of India's tour of England.
Also Check: IPL Orange Cap | IPL Purple Cap
"I wanted to make full use of the opportunity" - Avesh Khan
Before this season, Avesh Khan only had 9 IPL appearances under his belt, with 5 wickets to his name. With Nortje, Rabada, and Ishant Sharma not being available for the franchise's initial set of games earlier this season, DC had put out a pace attack comprising of Avesh Khan, Tom Curran, Chris Woakes, and Marcus Stoinis.
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In a high-scoring encounter against CSK, it was Avesh Khan who stood out among the bowlers with a spell of 2-23, that included the wicket of MS Dhoni. He added:
"Every year I would prepare with the mindset that I would play from the first match, but unfortunately, I would never get the chance. Last 2 years I got 1 match each. This season, though, Rabada and Nortje were not available for the first 2 games, and Ishant Sharma was injured, so Rishabh Pant trusted me so I wanted to make full use of the opportunity of playing from the first game itself."
DC will face KKR in Qualifier 2 in Sharjah to book a spot in the 2021 IPL Final against CSK.