Where is Avesh Khan? The lanky pacer is eyeing India’s comeback through the Ranji Trophy
NEW DELHI: Two years ago, Avesh Khan was on call during India’s successful World T20 campaign in 2024. Since then, hampered by injuries and subsequent loss of form, his international career has collapsed.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 2026 Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL) title. The six foot two inch fast bowler, playing in the MPL for the first time, took 13 wickets during Ghariyala’s winning campaign. The path to this personal and team glory was not easy. It’s been almost a year since Avesh underwent knee surgery.“It was hard. (Eating, bathing, bathing, sleeping were all difficult after surgery.) I had knee surgery and simple things like bathing, sitting and sleeping became a challenge. I could not move freely for almost three weeks and it was frustrating,” he told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat.“It is very difficult for a fast bowler because when you get injured you are out for two or three months and then you have to find your rhythm again.“I finished my rehab properly and tried to keep my mental strength. Injuries are frustrating because there’s nothing you can do about them. Recovery takes time and rehab is exhausting. I kept telling myself that this phase would end and I’d be back playing cricket.”
Avesh Khan played for Chambal Ghariyals in Madhya Pradesh T20 League.
Avesh, who played eight ODIs and 25 T20Is, last played for India in November 2024. The fast bowler now feels he is at the peak of his fitness and is eager to return to the Indian team through the Ranji Trophy.“I’m ready to grind again,” he said. “If a fast bowler wants to play Ranji Trophy, he should be able to bowl at least 30 overs a week. If I can consistently bowl around 30 overs a week for four weeks, I will know my body is ready,” Avesh shared about his plans.“Ranji Trophy involves long spells, travel and a short recovery period, so your body has to be ready. I will also play two or three warm-up matches before the season,” Avesh added.
If a fast bowler wants to play Ranji Trophy, he should be able to bowl at least 30 overs in a week. If I can regularly mix around 30 overs a week for four weeks, I’ll know my body is ready.
Avesh Khan
Avesh admits that playing all three formats is a challenge, but he enjoys it. Believing that adapting to all three formats is all in the preparation, he insists fast bowlers should focus on finding the right balance instead of making 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 bowlers and cutters. I gradually developed these skills.”While he has been working on expanding his white-ball skills, the Madhya Pradesh pacer admitted that red-ball cricket remains his biggest ambition. Despite being picked in the Indian Test squad, he is yet to make his debut and hopes to change that in the upcoming domestic season.
Ahmedabad: LSG’s Avesh Khan with his teammates celebrates the wicket of GJ’s Shahrukh Khan 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 by improving his fitness, handling the bowling load and building his body for the longer format.Avesh also dismissed the idea that bowlers should fear the run-fests that have become commonplace in T20 cricket.“I always look at it as an opportunity. I don’t think about getting hit,” he said.
If I perform well in a high-scoring game, people will notice even more. If I can help my team win out of that situation, that’s something special.
Avesh Khan
“If I perform well in a high-scoring game, people notice even more. If I can help my team win out of that situation, that’s something special. That’s the mindset I always try to keep.”It has indeed been a long journey for Avesh Khan, who was once touted as the next big thing, but he has slipped down the pecking order. His path to the top was anything but straightforward. Financial problems, injuries and a lack of opportunities slowed his progress, but like any fast bowler he kept recharging.
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Share OpinionNow, 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 in the middle overs, a fully fit Avesh could still force his way back into the national set-up. And a strong Ranji Trophy season could be the first step towards India’s further comeback.