20th November 2015, India Under-19s were playing the 1st match of the tri-series against Bangladesh. After the Under-19 World Cup in 2014, this was the first time India Under-19s played a match. Also, it was Rahul Dravid’s 1st match as Under-19 coach.
When Avesh Khan came into the limelight
India had some renowned junior cricketers like Sarfaraz Khan, Ricky Bhui who have already made names for themselves in domestic cricket. Indian batting collapsed as they were struggling at 118 for 8. In walked a lanky player – Avesh Khan whose primary skill was bowling. Avesh showed great mental strength and added a quick 25 runs as India Under-19s ended their innings for mere 158.
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Then came the time when Avesh got the new ball in his hands. Looking at Bangladesh’s previous batting record, 159 was certainly achievable if not a cakewalk for them.
However, Avesh had other plans. He struck on the very first ball; Bangladeshi batsmen couldn’t survive against Avesh’s adroitness with the ball. India Under-19s won by 82 runs as Avesh had astonishing bowling figures of 6-3-4-4.
That day Avesh announced himself with his spectacular performance. India got a rookie who has the potential to become a key player in India’s bowling arsenal in the near future.
Career Journey: From gully cricket to professional cricket
It all began quite a few years ago when he used to dominate gully cricket in Indore with his devastating pace while playing with the tennis ball. Impressed by his raw pace, his uncle encouraged him to bowl with a leather ball. That was a life-changing decision.
Avesh’s journey in past 7 years from a novice cricketer to a leader of the Indian Under-19’s pace attack is quite redoubtable.
While playing for Indore Colts Cricket Club, Avesh was picked by Amay Khurasiya – a former India and Madhya Pradesh player and drafted into MPCA cricket academy. Under Amay Khurasia’s watchful eyes Avesh mastered different skills with the ball.
Shortly, he made it to the state Under-16s team. After some significant performances in the Vijay Merchant U-16s Trophy, he was promoted to play in MPCA Under-19 team.
In his debut season in 2012-13, Avesh picked up 21 wickets but he suffered a sore ankle injury in September 2013. He had to take rest and couldn’t participate in the Under-19s One-day tournament.
The 2014 Under-19 World Cup was just around the corner. Avesh made a strong comeback in the Cooch Behar Under-19 tournament to bag 8 wickets in an innings against Chhattisgarh.
This performance caught the eye of the selectors and he was included in Probables for 2014 Under-19 World Cup. Avesh made his India Under-19 debut in the Asia Cup. That turned out to be a successful campaign as India emerged victorious.
In the world cup, Avesh played only 2 games but bowled with discipline. The 2014-15 domestic season was a huge success for him. Playing in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, Avesh bagged 15 wickets. Looking at his progress, he got a maiden call-up to the Madhya Pradesh senior team for the Ranji Trophy.
At 17, Avesh had a lot to prove. It could have gone either way given the toughness of first class cricket. Once again he put in good performances in the Ranji Trophy dismissing some international players like Wriddhiman Saha and Manoj Tiwary.
Season by season, Avesh was achieving new heights. During the 2015 off-season, Avesh was first selected for the zonal camp and then for a national camp at the NCA. He also bowled at the MRF Pace Academy and got adulation from Glenn McGrath. Avesh took a hat-trick in the zonal matches played at NCA to prove his supremacy. Since then he has taken his game to an apogee.
Avesh started 2015/16 season with a bang as he took 5 wickets against the Maharashtra Under-19 team to dismiss them for just 47! He emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the Under-19 Challenger’s Trophy with 10 wickets in just 3 matches.
One for the future?
Rahul Dravid, the India Under-19 coach, who was present there for the tournament accoladed his bowling. “Dravid encouraged me a lot. We discussed on my strengths and weakness. He told me that I will be leading India’s bowling attack in upcoming tournaments” said Avesh.
Being a fast bowler, Avesh always prefers playing attacking cricket as he always looks to get batsman’s wicket. He is exactly opposite to that off the field. He has earned lots of respect with his modest and magnanimous behaviour. His fan following is increasing exponentially day by day, but he likes to keep it simple and stick to the basics.
Ironically, Avesh doesn’t admire any of the past international cricketers but believes in bowling his way. It is always exciting to hear about a fast bowler prodigy in India. Apart from 4 or 5 fast bowlers, there is significant dearth of it in Indian cricket.
India’s flame in fast bowling was kept alive by the likes of Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and now Ishant Sharma. Avesh is the one to whom this baton can be passed on to in the future. As he gets ready for a metamorphosis from junior cricket to senior cricket, he is certainly looking to repeat his success at the highest level.
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