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The inspiring story of Avesh Khan | IPL 2021 | Delhi Capitals

Some cricketers are natural while some learn on the job. Avesh Khan is a mixture of both and it has a lot to do with the family’s love for the game. Cricket brought the family of four together and it was more of their go-to.

Mohd Ashique Khan, despite being a cricket addict, rarely got an opportunity to watch whole matches as he had to meet ends. He ran a small paan shop by the roadside in Indore. He used to bring around five hundred rupees every day. They were a ‘typical’ middle-class family who used to find different ways to save money.

Just like every other kid in the country, Avesh Khan also played cricket on the streets right from the age of 10. Mr Amardeep Pathania coached him and he represented Indore Colts Club for a long time. While Avesh used to make heads turn with his bowling, Mr Ashique rarely had time to witness his kid’s play. Probably, that was one of the reasons why he wanted Avesh to focus more on studies when he informed that he wanted to be a cricketer. Soon, Mr Ashique came around, asked Avesh to be serious in whatever he does. However, studies were always there.

Once he didn’t do well in exams and the family had to keep him away from the game until he scored good marks.
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Avesh Khan was 13 when he found out about an MPCA trial. He wanted to join the same desperately as he couldn’t make it to the state’s age cricket teams even after good performances. He was excited, went there only to find out 500-odd young kids with the same dream waiting for an opportunity. Former Indian cricketer Amay Khurasiya was the selector and everyone tried their best.

The kids were asked to bowl two overs and within a couple of deliveries, Amay was impressed with Avesh Khan’s work. Though he wasn’t perfect-bowled way outside off when asked to bowl closer to the fifth stump- he showed potential and was able to draw pace and bounce. Definitely impressive from the then 13-year-old. He was the only one who got selected from the camp.

Mr Amay then took him under his wings, taught him not only the basics but also the mental aspects of the game. He even asked the selectors to try him for the State’s Under-16 team. When things were looking upwards for him, the tragedy happened.

He was 15. His father lost his job as the Government had to bring down the roadside shops. The family did find it difficult to meet ends and to add more, the family also took a loan for their daughter’s marriage. Avesh Khan took up the responsibility and worked hard on matches.

Avesh Khan learnt how to spend money wisely. He rarely spent his match money, would give them all to the family. Soon, he bought a second-hand cycle, would travel more than 20-odd kilometres for practice and return.

Soon, he made his Under-19 debut for India in 2014. He played the tri-series and in one of the matches, against Bangladesh, he ended up with the figures of 6 overs 3 maidens 4 runs and 4 wickets. He made it to the World Cup as well but played only two matches, had only one wicket.

Months later, Avesh Khan would find himself in the Madhya Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad and played his first match against Railways. He was just 17 at that time. He ended up playing five matches and had 15 wickets to his name.

A couple of years later, he was one of the three players to play the Under-19 World Cup for the 2nd time in that squad. This time, he led the pace attack along with Khaleel Ahmed. He had 12 wickets from his 6 matches, most among the Indian bowlers. India ended as the runners-up of the tournament, losing to West Indies.

He then got into Royal Challengers Bangalore and in 2017, he played only one match for the team, had 1 for 23 while opening the bowling for the team.

Soon, he made it to Board President’s XI then was the net bowler for India. In the IPL, he got into Delhi and has been a part of the team for a while now and had played a handful of matches before becoming a regular in this edition.

With years, Avesh Khan became a vital force in the Madhya Pradesh line-up. The 2018-2019 Ranji Trophy season was one of his best. He had 37 wickets which included a ten-wicket haul. With some good performances, he was called up for India A that year. He played against visiting Windies side, had four wickets.

Months later, he found himself on the reserve players’ list for the 2019 World Cup along with Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar.

Among the 19 members who travelled to England for the World Cup, Avesh Khan was the only one who never represented the country’s senior side. Since then Avesh Khan has been around, had travelled with the team as the backup bowler, as a reserve, as a net bowler.

Avesh Khan’s USP is that he has variations. While taking the new ball, he usually targets the off-stump area. The ball will be closer to the batters to play cut, thus, they would end up edging the delivery. He usually likes to keep it straight. He then comes back with the old ball in the end with a few variations, starting from bouncers. This has worked well for him in this year’s IPL.

Growing up watching MS Dhoni bat, Avesh Khan’s dream was to get him out at least once. A few years ago, he had that opportunity but unfortunately, someone had dropped the catch. He had to wait for three long years to get him out, to fulfil one of his dreams.

While Avesh Khan is enjoying his time in the field, his family is doing better now and is making sure that he still stays humble and grounded.

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