The young fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh Avesh Khan has been handed the debut cap ahead of the 3rd T20I against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Avesh has been waiting in the wings for quite some time now and deservedly has been added to the setup.
With the three-match T20I series sealed, the team management decided to give the uncapped player an opportunity. Deepak Hooda, who is capped in ODIs, is now the only uncapped player in the T20I squad.
Avesh Khan was handed the national cap by senior fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was rested for the final game of the series. The young pacer was all smiles as he received the cap and the teammates came by to congratulate the cricketer.
Here are some reactions:
Avesh Khan in… chalo… Sunday evening sorted! 👍🏽
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) February 20, 2022
What a moment for Avesh Khan.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) February 20, 2022
Avesh Khan making his debut. Much deserved. #CricketTwitter #INDvWI
— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) February 20, 2022
Avesh Khan time ❤️
— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrustappen33) February 20, 2022
Congratulations Young Avesh Khan, for making your T20 International Debut for your country. Youngsters should pursue their dreams in India and not fall for the Hindu hate and Muslim Victimhood campaign which likes of Rana Ayub and Arfa Khanum Sherwani want them to follow instead pic.twitter.com/KI7mdh2DLw
— Khalid Baig (@KhalidBaig85) February 20, 2022
Avesh Khan is here pic.twitter.com/NNdTwkzucA
— N (@clobberinntime) February 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/Afkar18__/status/1495386865905508353?s=20&t=OxWgO5qPupIefAAcQNM0ww
Lessgo Avesh Khan 🤩 pic.twitter.com/t4iTImq1Fl
— Jethiya (@Cricworld73) February 20, 2022
I'm telling you this in advance Akash Chopra gonna say "Aveshvasniya" when Avesh Khan will take a wicket.
— Savage (@arcomedys) February 20, 2022
It would be an interesting contest within the contest between Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. They should bat well and make full use of the power play.
And it’s a well deserved debut for Avesh Khan.
Hope to see Indian side utilising their opportunities.
Come on India!— Shahab Jafri (@ShahabJafri55) February 20, 2022
Avesh Khan, who has been with Team India as a net bowler for a few years now, had made it to the national team on the back of a brilliant run in IPL 2021. Playing for Delhi Capitals (DC), the right-arm pacer drew the selectors’ attention with 24 scalps.
Last week, Avesh had also earned big in IPL 2022 mega auction and joined Lucknow Super Giants for a sum of Rs 10 crore. He remains to be the only uncapped player in history to touch the 10 crore mark in an IPL auction.
Meanwhile, West Indies have won the toss and have opted to field first.
India Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
West Indies Playing XI: Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Rovman Powell, Kieron Pollard(c), Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Dominic Drakes, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh