"This series is everything for me" - Khaleel Ahmed on his international comeback in IND vs ZIM T20I series

Khaleel Ahmed has highlighted the significance of the ongoing T20I series between India and Zimbabwe for him. The left-arm seamer registered figures of 2/32 in four overs in the fourth T20I in Harare on Saturday, July 13.

India restricted Zimbabwe to 152/7 after Shubman Gill asked the hosts to bat first. The Indian captain and Yashasvi Jaiswal then stitched together an unbroken 156-run opening-wicket partnership to help the visitors register a comprehensive 10-wicket win and seal the five-match series 3-1 ahead of the final game at the same venue on Sunday.

In a post-match interview with Sony Sports, Khaleel Ahmed was asked how happy he is with his performances and the importance of the series for him.

"To be very honest, I am extremely happy with my performances because of how I have got the rhythm in my bowling and the way I have adapted to the conditions. I was also able to execute well, so I am quite happy with that," he responded.

"This series is everything for me because when I wasn't a part of this dressing room, I was missing it a lot. So I am delighted to be a part of this dressing room and performing for India, and that happiness is different, I cannot express it," Khaleel added.

Khaleel has picked up three wickets in as many games at an economy rate of 6.81 in the ongoing series. The Delhi Capitals seamer last played a T20I in November 2019 against Bangladesh.

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"I don't look at it like that" - Khaleel Ahmed on whether he is performing Jasprit Bumrah's bowling captaincy role

Khaleel Ahmed made his international debut in September 2018.

In the same interview, Khaleel Ahmed was further asked whether he is performing Jasprit Bumrah's bowling captaincy role with the current squad.

"I don't look at it like that. We all play together, even in the IPL. All of us are equal. Yes, I consider it a responsibility because when I start the first over, the team should get a good start. So my focus is generally on that," he replied.

The Rajasthan seamer was also asked about his effective cutters in the ongoing series.

"I worked a lot on my bowling when I was in the reserves in the World Cup because there was no stress of playing matches at that time. So I was working a lot on my cutters and yorkers at that time, and I am extremely happy with the way I am able to execute yorkers and the spin and rotation I am getting (on the slower ones)," Khaleel responded.

Khaleel was among the four reserves who traveled with the Indian squad for last month's T20 World Cup. He is potentially considered a back-up option for Arshdeep Singh, who excelled as Bumrah's seam-bowling partner in the Men in Blue's title-winning run in the global event.