Delhi Capitals fast bowler Avesh Khan admitted that he and Rishabh Pant planned MS Dhoni’s dismissal in DC’s first game of the season against Chennai Super Kings. Avesh said Pant asked him to bowl short of length, and the pacer did just that, which resulted in Dhoni chopping one back onto his stumps.
Avesh Khan was one of the most impressive Indian players in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League before it was suspended off. The Madhya Pradesh fast bowler was the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He picked up 14 wickets at an average of 16.50. Moreover, he had an overall economy rate of 7.70, and he had a bowling strike-rate of 12.8.
It’s not just the numbers but the way he bowled throughout the tournament that made people take notice. He delivered the yorkers consistently, and he was hard to get away at the death. In fact, it was from the very first over that Avesh made an impact.
He pinned Faf du Plessis LBW on the fourth ball of his season before prizing out MS Dhoni at the death. The 24-year-old fast bowler revealed that Rishabh Pant asked him to keep it short of length as the CKS skipper will be playing after a while, and it will be hard for him to hit.
“Only a few overs were left and Pant knew that Dhoni will try to hit out. But he also knew that Dhoni is playing after a gap of four months and it won’t be easy for him. Pant told me to bowl just short of a length. I did just that, Dhoni tried to hit, but got an inside edge and was bowled,”
Avesh Khan was quoted saying to The Indian Express.
Also, Avesh also admitted that there was a lot of planning that he and Pant did on the field during games. The Delhi Capitals skipper often used to signal Avesh where to bowl, and the latter added that Pant had signs if he wanted Avesh to bowl a particular delivery.
“When I was about to start my bowling run-up, I used to look at Pant. At that moment the batsman is watching only me, and not anyone else. So, if Pant wants me to bowl a yorker, we have a sign for it. If he wants me to bowl wide outside off, I will know by his sign,”
Khan added.
After an impressive show in the IPL 2021, Avesh has been picked as one of the four standbys for India’s tour of England.
