Avesh Khan To Join Team India As Second Net Bowler After Umran Malik

Delhi Capitals pace bowler Avesh Khan is set to join the Indian team as a net bowler for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Avesh becomes the second bowler after Sunrisers Hyderabad pace sensational bowler Umran Malik to join the Indian team as a net bowler.

A BCCI source closed to the selection committee revealed that the selectors have initially decided to draft Avesh as a net bowler, but the 24-year-old could also be included in the main squad.

“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,” a BCCI source told news agency PTI. 

Avesh Khan has been on support staff’s radar for some time: BCCI source

Avesh is currently in UAE with his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, who lost to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 in Dubai. The Madhya Pradesh pacer has scalped a total of 23 wickets in IPL 2021 so far and is only behind RCB’s Harshal Patel in the list of most wickets picked by bowlers.

“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,” the source said.

Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar could be included in India’s main squad for T20 World Cup

Earlier, there were reports that the BCCI is planning to add one more pacer in the main squad as all-rounder Hardik Pandya looks uncertain to bowl in the mega event.

According to a BCCI official, either CSK’sDeepak Chahar or Shardul Thakur, who are among the three reserved players named in the squad, could be drafted in the main squad to fill the void of a pace bowler.

“Indian team is at least one fast bowler short in the main squad of 15. However, they have two experienced campaigners in Shardul Thakur, who is also a handy bowling all-rounder and Deepak Chahar, who has shown his batting prowess in Sri Lanka in the stand byes.

“So in case Hardik is not able to bowl, one of the two can be fitted in by the Committee,” a senior BCCI source told news agency PTI on conditions of anonymity.

India will play their first T20 World Cup match against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai.

Also Read:  T20 World Cup 2021: Umran Malik Picked As Net Bowler For Team India After Impressive Show In IPL 2021