Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed opened up on his international comeback after nearly five years as he played a key role in India’s series-clinching victory over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I in Harare on Saturday (July 13).

Khaleel was the stand-out bowler for India, returning with the figures of 2/32 in four overs. His spell helped the Men in Blue restrict the hosts to 152/7 in 20 overs.

Khaleel dismissed last game’s top scorer Dion Myers catching him off his own bowling in the last over of the innings. He also removed Clive Madande on the last ball of the innings.

In reply, India rode on half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (93* off 53) and Shubman Gill (58* off 39) to overhaul the target with 28 deliveries to spare.

After the game, Khaleel expressed delight to be in the India dressing room after a long gap. Before this series, his last appearance for the country was in 2018.

“For me this series means everything. Very happy to be part of this dressing room, I was missing it when I was out of the squad. I’m happy to be in the dressing room and perform for my team. I can’t express how I’m feeling right now,” Khaleel told Sony Sports.

When asked if he’s playing the role of Jasprit Bumrah as the bowling captain being a senior in the team, Khaleel replied: “We play a lot together. We play together in the IPL as well. We’re all equal but yes I feel it’s my responsibility as I have to bowl the first over and give a good start to the team.”

Khaleel, 26, also revealed that he was working on his variations while being of part of the Indian team as a reserve player during the T20 World Cup last month.

“I was in the World Cup reserves and worked hard on my variations - cutters and Yorkers as I had no stress to play the game. Hence I was working on my variations in the spare time. Happy with the execution of Yorkers and the spinning of my cutters,” he concluded.

The fifth and final T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played in Harare on Sunday (July 14).