Avesh Khan – Interesting Facts to know about the pace bowler

In the first half of IPL 2021, one of the bowlers who impressed everyone with his pace and skills was Avesh Khan. He was the second-highest wicket-taker until the tournament was stopped midway. He has been included as a standby player in the Indian Test squad for the World Test Championship and five-match Test series against England. In this article, we will be discussing some interesting facts about Avesh Khan.

1. Early start:

Avesh Khan’s bowling was first spotted at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association trials when he was only 13-years old. He started playing for Madhya Pradesh’s Under-19 team from the age of 16. The pacer picked up 15 wickets in the 2012-13 Vinoo Mankad Trophy which were the most after Kuldeep Yadav’s 20 scalps. His performances helped him to be called for the Indian Under-19 team.

2. India Under-19 debut:

Avesh Khan made his debut for the India U19 team in the 2013-14 Youth Asia Cup at the age of 17. He was selected in the U19 World Cup squad in the 2014 edition played in UAE but didn’t get a chance in the playing XI.

3. Record bowling figures in Youth ODI cricket:

Avesh Khan registered bowling figures of 6-3-4-4 in a match against Bangladesh in the Tri-series in 2015-16. Only one bowler in Youth ODI history has conceded four and fewer runs while picking up a 4-wicket haul.

4. Leading wicket-taker in the U19 CWC:

Avesh got his chances in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup which was played in Bangladesh. He picked 12 wickets in six games to finish as India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

5. Debut for the senior side:

The youngster made his first-class debut in the 2014/15 season in the Ranji Trophy a couple of days before his 19th birthday. He has featured in 26 FC games and 35 T20s till date.

6. First experience in the IPL

Avesh Khan was signed up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore team during the 2017 IPL season. He made his IPL debut in his team’s last match of the season in which he took 1 wicket for 23 runs in his 4 overs. Avesh dismissed Sanju Samson on the very second ball he bowled in the game.

7. Touring with the Indian Test team:

The then 21-year-old pacer got a chance to tour alongside the Indian senior team for the Test series in South Africa where he bowled to the Indian players in the nets.

8. Avesh Khan impressed in IPL 2021

Avesh Khan impressed many including the selectors in the IPL 2021 while playing for Delhi Capitals. He picked 14 wickets in 8 matches and was the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament until it was postponed.

9. Avesh Khan was picked in the India Test squad as a standby player

Impressed with his consistent show in domestic cricket and the IPL, selectors picked him as the standby player for the upcoming WTC Final against New Zealand and the subsequent England Tests.