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U-19 World Cup: Avesh Khan – a thoroughbred among colts -

rkt.india

By rkt.india
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rkt.india Grand Master

rkt.india

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The scorecard of the India-Ireland match on Thursday will show that Ireland, chasing 269, lost their first two wickets to runouts. It was a wonderful display of fielding by captain Ishan Kishan and Arman Jaffer. However, what the scorecard won’t tell you is that it was some tight bowling by India’s new-ball bowlers that led the Irish batsmen to risk taking those non-existent runs. In particular, Avesh Khan, the under-19 team’s fastest and most experienced pacer, kept a suffocating line and length.

 

Khan shot into the limelight in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in the UAE when he clocked 139.8 kmph against Pakistan. India’s never ending quest for an express pace bowler means that this aspect of his game — raw pace — gets hyped up the most. No doubt, there is pace — he touched 136 on Thursday — but there is nothing raw about it. This tall pacer from Indore is all polished. There are variations, game awareness and above all discipline. And when you add pace to that you get a specimen that is rare in India.

 

“Tez to main shuru se dal-ta tha,” says Khan. He looks pretty content, and it’s not because of his 10-1-24-2 figures the previous day. The reason is that after a closely monitored diet for 10 days, he got to relish his favourite food for the first time in Bangladesh. The management gave the team a break from practice and took them out for lunch at an Indian restaurant. The boys just went for it — chicken, daal, basically whatever they could lay their hands on.

 

“I was quick even when I was playing at under-16 level,” he carries on. “Khauf to tha circle mein ke ladka tez daalta hai (there was a reputation in the circle). I have inflicted injuries on a few batsmen as well.”

 

But he has grown up. He is one of three above-19 Indian players in the Under-19 tourney, having crossed the mark two months ago. He has also made his Ranji debut for Madhya Pradesh. Among the boys, he is a man. And he talks like one.

“Ek sau chalees to theek hai, but my focus is to hit both 140 and the right length. That’s is more difficult. 140 phenk ke boundary khaane mein kya fayda? Sometimes you have to slow the pace down. Because sometimes the ball comes very easily on to the bat. Then you need to use your mind. I vary my pace. I use cutters, off and leg,” he says. And like another, more famous Khan, he bowls the knuckle ball as well.

 

In the last match, he got a wicket with the knuckle ball. Rory Anders was looking to score some quick runs when Khan slipped one in. “The bastman couldn’t check his shot. He thought it was a regular pace ball, so he went for it. Then he realised that it’s a slower ball. By the time he tried to stop, ball already khadi ho gayi thi. So I work on all that stuff. Yorkers, slower ones and bouncers,” he says.

 

However, above all, he says, his strength is hard work and patience.

“Fast bowling is the toughest job in cricket, if you don’t work hard and try hard, you can’t bowl fast. You need to prepare, take proper diet, you have work out in the gym, build core strength. And you have to sleep as well. My coach, Amay Khurasiya, has taught me how to keep fine-tuning your bowling when you move up in cricket. He told me that higher levels what you need the most is patience. You don’t get wickets as easily as at Under-19 and Under-23 levels. When I played the Ranji Trophy I understood what he was saying,” he says.

 

Khan’s Ranji debut was in the 2014/15 season. He took 15 wickets in five matches. However, he couldn’t play the trophy this year as it was clashing with the preparations for the Junior World Cup. You suggest that a good performance here can open many other doors, including possibly the IPL. Does he think about it? Is he looking forward to the February 6 auction?

“I can’t say anything about that because that’s not in my hand. What’s in my hand is to perform here and make use of this opportunity that I have got. And, Allah ke karam se, pehle match mein achcha bowling dala. Let’s see what I can do tomorrow in the match against New Zealand. Since I have played a World Cup already and is the main bowler, I also need to set an example for other bowlers. Sabko utha ke rakhun field pe. Right now, that is my aim,” he says.

 

 

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/a-thoroughbred-among-colts/#sthash.0CIlHEjb.dpuf

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MK55 Veteran

MK55

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Interesting. Its good that he wants to bowl fast and be accurate.
But from his statement, looks like he feels focusing on pace my have an adverse effect on his line/length and that it is not his priority.

If you improve your fitness and your action's good enough to bowl fast, it really shouldn't affect the line/length. Obviously its different if you want to deliberately bowl cutters depending on the pitch, which is completely fine.
  

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MK55 Veteran

MK55

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At this age, he should just focus on bowling as quick as possible.. Skills can be developed later in his career.

 

Exactly. I remember Johnson saying in one of his interviews that he wanted to bowl as fast as Brett Lee when he came in.   
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/mitchell-johnson-i-only-ever-wanted-to-bowl-fast-20151117-gl1dnd.html
Obviously, this doesn't mean that you neglect all the other things. But this passion is what separates the 90+ mph bowlers from the rest.

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Ankit_sharma03 Grand Master

Ankit_sharma03

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TBH, him bowling 135 now doesn't mean he will automatically bowl 145 at 24-25.

 

You need attitude. I was very excited to see Unadkat bowl 139k fastest in 2010 we. Same with Vijay Kumar yomahesh from TN in 2006 wc. He also bowled 87 mph but faded away.

Avesh khan, Nathu singh, Sran, aniket choudhary, ankit rajpoot, bumrah

With Ishant, aaron , shami, umesh on the right side of their age. Our fast bowling looks to have gr8 future

Whats xciting is a captain like kohli who is bowler's captain, MRF and Bcci owrking toghter, And India A has a coach like dravid . 

This gives me some assurance that we wudnt loose many xciting fast bowlers as we did in past

 

Yes, ultimately its on them.  A fast bowler before any skill does need an attitude.

 

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cowboysfan Grand Master

cowboysfan

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TBH, him bowling 135 now doesn't mean he will automatically bowl 145 at 24-25.

 

You need attitude. I was very excited to see Unadkat bowl 139k fastest in 2010 we. Same with Vijay Kumar yomahesh from TN in 2006 wc. He also bowled 87 mph but faded away.

you need the drive to be great and coaches who let the bowlers be themselves while correcting minor technical things,in the end its mostly upto him.

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Rightarmfast Grand Master

Rightarmfast

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TBH, him bowling 135 now doesn't mean he will automatically bowl 145 at 24-25.

 

You need attitude. I was very excited to see Unadkat bowl 139k fastest in 2010 we. Same with Vijay Kumar yomahesh from TN in 2006 wc. He also bowled 87 mph but faded away.

Right, it doesnt mean automatically he will become genuine quick. But chances of him becoming a 90mph bowler is higher than someone bowling at 110 kph at this age, right ?

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Adi_91 Newbie

Adi_91

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Right, it doesnt mean automatically he will become genuine quick. But chances of him becoming a 90mph bowler is higher than someone bowling at 110 kph at this age, right ?

I highly appreciate your optimism when it comes to bowling talent @Rightarmfast. I appreciate you keeping a keen eye on our bowling resources.

Yeah, I haven't seen Avesh Khan properly. What speed is he bowling?

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