IPL 2021: Avesh Khan Credits DC Skipper Rishabh Pant For Breakout IPL Season

Delhi Capitals (DC) bowler Avesh Khan has revealed that skipper, Rishabh Pant, has been his teammate since the U-19 days, and his constant advice has helped him perform well in the IPL 2021 season. It has been Avesh’s best season by far, where he has picked up 23 wickets in the tournament.

DC reached the playoffs courtesy of an excellent bowling partnership between Anrich Nortje and Avesh. They have been the best bowlers for the team so far, helping them finish at the top of the table. Although they lost Qualifier 1 to CSK, DC has another chance at IPL glory.

“It is good for me that the team management have trusted me, especially Rishabh Pant. He is always telling me what to bowl, what not to bowl. The entire credit goes to him. We have played together since the U-19 days. He gives me a signal from behind the wicket, and I know what delivery he wants me to bowl, then I just focus on executing the ball,” Avesh said about his skipper in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

Rishabh trusted me, so I wanted to make full use of the opportunity – Avesh Khan

The 24-year-old Avesh was actually not part of the initial games. He was left out in favour of Ishant Sharma, but an injury to the senior pacer provided an opportunity to Avesh. He has grabbed on to it with both hands and is now sitting second on the Purple Cap list.

“Every year, I would prepare with the mindset that I would play from the first match, but unfortunately, I would never get the chance. Last 2 years, I got one match each.”

“This season, though, Rabada and Nortje were not available for the first 2 games, and Ishant Sharma was injured, so Rishabh Pant trusted me, so I wanted to make full use of the opportunity of playing from the first game itself,” Avesh added.

DC will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 2 on Wednesday. The winner will go on to play against CSK in the IPL 2021 final in Dubai.

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