Avesh Khan has not allowed the India vs England Test snub to diverge from his path. After being culled from the India Test squad before the start of the Third Test, the pacer has roared back with an exceptional four-wicket haul in the first Ranji Trophy 2024 semifinal.
Playing for Madhya Pradesh, the fast bowler got the new red cherry and worked his magic straight away. He cleaned up Dhruv Shorey in the seventh over to give his side the first breakthrough. Vidarbha fought back, but after Venkatesh Iyer created an opening, he dispatched Aman Mokhade and got the opposition three down.
MP’s collective bowling effort started to work wonders, with Kulwant Khejroliya and Anubhav Agarwal joining the party. However, Avesh Khan returned and sent tailenders Akshay Wakhare and Yash Thakur in the space of four balls to demolish Vidarbha.
The pacer could not collect his ninth five-wicket haul but helped his team skittle the opposition out for just 170 in 56.4 overs.
Curious case of Avesh Khan
The fast bowler was part of the Test squad on the India tour of South Africa but failed to get a gig. Despite Mohammed Shami being injured and Prasidh Krishna being out of the side, Avesh wasn’t given a preference. That became even more shocking when Mukesh Kumar was given a go in the second Test while Mohammed Siraj was given a rest.
Warming the bench, Avesh Khan was dropped after the second Test with Siraj coming back. However, there was some hope left with Jasprit Bumrah being rested for the fourth Test. But shockingly, Akash Deep was given a maiden call-up while Avesh continued to toil in the Ranji Trophy. Now, the pacer has vented out his frustration on the cricket pitch and shown the management why having him in the side would be a blessing.
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