Avesh Khan is expected to join Umran Malik as net bowler for Indian team.
He is in top form for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing IPL 2021 with 23 wickets to his name thus far and if reports are true, the lanky fast bowler could well make it to the standby list by the time World Cup starts on Sunday. India will open their campaign on October 24 against Pakistan.
"The national selectors have decided to also include Avesh in the mix. As of now, he will be a net bowler but if the team management feels, he can be upgraded. Avesh bowls at an average speed of 142 to 145 clicks, earns disconcerting bounce from the flattest of decks and has been on support staff's radar for some time," a BCCI source close to the selection committee told PTI on Tuesday.
Also, the sources stated that Hardik Pandya is expected to remain in the squad but will play as a pure batter in the T20 World Cup as his back is still not in a condition to take the stress of fast-medium bowling.
Therefore, KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer has been also asked to stay back as well as cover for Hardik.
Indian team players will get together in time for their first warm-up game, against England on October 18, three days after the completion of the IPL. Their second and final warm-up game is against Australia on October 20.
(PTI inputs)