Madhya Pradesh fast bowler Avesh Khan was unfortunate to miss out on the recent home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand as he was not in contention when the likes of Mohammed Siraj (rest) and Jasprit Bumrah (injury) were missing in action.
Avesh had been part of the Indian team for most of 2022 but had to miss a few games due to illness and this led to his spot being usurped by other fast bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Mavi, and Umran Malik.
Since then, Avesh has failed to break into the T20I XI since then, his last appearance for the side in ODIs came against South Africa in October.
However, the 26-year-old pacer has been doing well for Madhya Pradesh as he is the side’s highest wicket-taker in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy so far, with 36 dismissals to his name in seven matches.
However, the pacer has now set his eyes on a comeback into the Indian team, especially in Test cricket, and stated that he was unfortunate to be ruled out due to illness.
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“Twice I was ruled out because I was not feeling well. People might judge that on a few occasions, I went expensive but in today’s cricket 6 out of ten times bowlers have a bad day. I’m not complaining or giving excuses but that’s the truth. Now I have forgotten everything; instead, I’m living in the present. When selection happens it will happen. Performing is in my hand and selection is not. So I have stopped thinking about it,” Khan told Indian Express.
“I have played for India with the white ball but I want to represent the Indian Test team and for that, I’m working hard. I knew I needed to step up for MP because how many times do we see a team trailing and bouncing to win matches in Ranji Trophy. If I’m good I need to stand up and take the responsibility of taking my team through. It was a complete team effort and we played like a team today,” Avesh added.
Avesh took 5 wickets in Madhya Pradesh’s quarterfinal win over Andhra and will now face Bengal in the semi-final.
