Khaleel Ahmed’s impressive performance in IPL 2024 for the Delhi Capitals (DC) earned him a much-awaited recall to the Indian team. The left-arm pacer, known for his new-ball threat, bagged a joint-highest 17 wickets for DC alongside teammate Mukesh Kumar, who also features in the first T20I against Zimbabwe.
However, Khaleel’s comeback wasn’t just about ending a long wait; it etched his name in the record books. He now holds the undesirable record for the most T20Is missed between consecutive appearances for India.
A record-breaking hiatus ft. Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel last played for India in February 2019. Since then, the Men in Blue have played a staggering 104 T20 Internationals. This lengthy gap puts him ahead of Devon Thomas (102), Rony Talukdar (100), Matt Henry (93), and Sahibzada Farhan (92) for the most T20Is missed during an international comeback.
| Player (Nation) | Gap between 2 T20Is |
|---|---|
| Khaleel Ahmed (IND) | 104 |
| Devon Thomas (WI) | 102 |
| Rony Talukdar (BAN) | 100 |
| Matt Henry (NZ) | 93 |
| Sahibzada Farhan (PAK) | 92 |
First T20I not up to the mark for Khaleel
While the record is a unique feat, Khaleel’s performance in the first T20I against Zimbabwe fell short of expectations. Despite his reputation as a new-ball threat, he struggled with his line and length, conceding a hefty 28 runs in his three overs without picking up a wicket.
While Mukesh Kumar was superb at the other end, Khaleel was taken for runs by the Chevron batters.
