NEW DELHI: two years ago, Avesh Khan he was among the standbys during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. Since then, hampered by injuries and the subsequent loss of form, his international career has been on a roll.Now, after a disappointing outing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Madhya Pradesh pacer played a key role in Chambal Ghariyals winning the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL) 2026 title. The six-foot-two-inch fast bowler, who was playing in the MPL for the first time, took 13 wickets during Ghariyal’s title campaign.The road to this personal and team glory was not easy. It has been almost a year since Avesh had knee surgery.“It was difficult. (Uthna, baithna, nahaana, sona sab mushkil ho gaya tha surgery ke baad) I had knee surgery, and even simple things like bathing, sitting and sleeping became a challenge. For almost three weeks, I could not move freely, and it was frustrating,” he told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat.“It’s very tough for a fast bowler because when you’re injured, you’re out for two or three months and then you have to find your rhythm again.“I completed my rehabilitation properly and tried to keep myself strong mentally. Injuries are frustrating because you can’t do anything about them. Recovery takes time, and rehabilitation is exhausting. I kept telling myself that this phase would end and I would go back to playing cricket.”
Avesh Khan played for Chambal Ghariyals in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League.
Avesh, who played eight ODIs and 25 T20Is, last played for India in November 2024. The speedster now feels he is at the peak of his fitness and is keen to make a comeback to the Indian team via the Ranji Trophy.“I’m ready for the girl again,” he said. “If a fast bowler wants to play in the Ranji Trophy, he must be able to bowl at least 30 overs in a week. If I can consistently bowl around 30 overs a week for four weeks, we know that my body is ready,” Avesh shared his plans.“Ranji Trophy involves long races, trips and short recovery periods, so your body needs to be prepared. Before the season, I will also play two or three practice matches,” added Avesh.
If a fast bowler wants to play Ranji Trophy, he must be able to bowl at least 30 overs in a week. If I can consistently bowl about 30 overs a week for four weeks, I know my body is ready.
Avesh Khan
Avesh admits that playing all three formats is a challenge, but he enjoys it. He believes that adapting to all three formats is all about preparation, insisting that fast bowlers should focus on finding the right balance instead of looking for excuses.“Nothing is difficult if you know how to find the right balance,” Avesh said. “In T20 cricket, you need variations like yorkers, wide yorkers, slower bouncers and cutters. I developed those skills gradually over time.”While he has worked to expand his white-ball skills, the Madhya Pradesh pacer admitted that red-ball cricket remains his biggest ambition. Despite being picked in India’s Test squad, he is yet to make his debut and hopes to change that in the upcoming domestic season.
Ahmedabad: Avesh Khan of LSG with his teammates celebrates the wicket of Shahrukh Khan of GJ during the IPL 2025 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan)
“I love red-ball cricket. Playing Test cricket for India for a long time is my biggest goal,” he said, adding that after the MPL he will shift his focus to preparing for the Ranji Trophy to improve his fitness, manage his bowling load and build his body for the longer format.Avesh also rejected the idea that bowlers should fear the run-fests that have become common in T20 cricket.“I always see it as an opportunity. I don’t think I’ll be hit by the courses,” he said.
If I do well in a high-scoring game, people notice even more. If I can help my team win from that situation, that’s something special.
Avesh Khan
“If I do well in a high-scoring game, people notice even more. If I can help my team win from that situation, that’s something special. That’s the mentality I always try to maintain.”It has indeed been a long road for Avesh Khan, who was once touted as the next big thing but has fallen down the pecking order. His journey to the top was anything but simple. Financial struggles, injuries and lack of opportunities slowed his progress, but like any fast bowler, he kept charging on.
Do you think Avesh Khan will make a successful breakthrough to the Indian national team?
3k+ users shared the opinion today
5k+ users have already voted today
3k+ users shared the opinion today
Now, with India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill making it clear that the team wants to invest in tall fast bowlers capable of taking wickets at average, a fully fit Avesh could also force his way back into the national set-up. And a strong Ranji Trophy season may be the first step towards another comeback in India.
