Khaleel Ahmed emphasized the significance of the current T20I series between India and Zimbabwe for him. The left-arm seamer delivered figures of 2/32 in four overs during the fourth T20I in Harare on Saturday, July 13.
India chose to field first and restricted Zimbabwe to 152/7. Subsequently, Indian captain Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal formed an unbeaten 156-run opening partnership, guiding their team to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory and securing a 3-1 lead in the five-match series ahead of the final game at the same venue on Sunday.
Speaking in a post-match interview with Sony Sports, Khaleel Ahmed was asked about his satisfaction with his performances and the significance of the series for him.
“To be very honest, I am extremely happy with my performances because of how I have got the rhythm in my bowling and the way I have adapted to the conditions. I was also able to execute well, so I am quite happy with that,” he responded.
“This series is everything for me because when I wasn’t a part of this dressing room, I was missing it a lot. So I am delighted to be a part of this dressing room and performing for India, and that happiness is different, I cannot express it,” Khaleel added.
Khaleel has taken three wickets in three matches with an economy rate of 6.81 in the current series. The Delhi Capitals bowler’s last T20I appearance was in November 2019 against Bangladesh.
“I don’t look at it like that” – Khaleel Ahmed on if he is fulfilling the bowling captaincy role akin to Jasprit Bumrah’s
During the interview, Khaleel Ahmed was also questioned about assuming Jasprit Bumrah’s role as bowling captain with the current squad.
“I don’t look at it like that. We all play together, even in the IPL. All of us are equal. Yes, I consider it a responsibility because when I start the first over, the team should get a good start. So my focus is generally on that,” he replied.
Khaleel Ahmed, representing Rajasthan, was also queried about the effectiveness of his cutters in the ongoing series.
“I worked a lot on my bowling when I was in the reserves in the World Cup because there was no stress of playing matches at that time.”
”So I was working a lot on my cutters and yorkers at that time, and I am extremely happy with the way I am able to execute yorkers and the spin and rotation I am getting (on the slower ones),” Khaleel responded.
Khaleel was one of the four reserves who accompanied the Indian squad to last month’s T20 World Cup. He is seen as a possible alternative for Arshdeep Singh, who partnered effectively with Bumrah in India’s victorious campaign in the global tournament.
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