In his first IPL 2021 match against Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals pacer Avesh Khan fulfilled his lifelong dream after taking the wicket of the opposition captain, MS Dhoni. He knocked out Dhoni’s stumps after just two deliveries and sent him walking back to the pavilion with no runs on board in his first IPL outing this season.
This wicket was more significant for Avesh Khan since he came close to dismissing the legendary wicket-keeper batsman in IPL 2018. However, Dhoni’s catch was dropped and Avesh was denied bragging rights. This time, however, the 24-year-old expressed delight over finally achieving what he desired.
“Three years ago, Mahi bhai’s (MS Dhoni) catch was dropped. Mahi bhai’s wicket is my dream wicket, and now three years later I’ve fulfilled that dream and I’m very happy about it,” Avesh Khan said in a video released by the franchise.
The pacer also said that Dhoni’s rustiness was normal given that he hasn’t played enough cricket lately. “It’s also that he hasn’t played cricket in a while, he hasn’t been playing matches, so our plan was to initially maintain pressure on him, and I got the wicket because of the pressure,” he stated.
Avesh Khan was chosen to start for Delhi Capitals ahead of Umesh Yadav with several established pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Ishant Sharma missing DC’s first match of the season. He managed to impress tremendously and picked up two important wickets in Faf du Plessis and Dhoni. He was also effective in the Powerplay and kept things tight at the back. In fact, with an economy rate of 5.75 runs per over, he was the pick among the DC bowlers on the night.
“The performance was good, considering it was the first match. I’m very happy especially because the team won. When you win the first match, the entire team, along with the coaches find confidence. And now we will try to continue with the same momentum.
“Obviously, my performance was good too, it was an outstanding performance. I picked up the wickets of Mahi bhai and Faf Du Plessis and I brought my team to a good position at that moment. I managed to fulfil my role very well,” Avesh Khan added.
Delhi Capitals will be up against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai. It will be interesting to see whether he gets the nod when pacers like Rabada and Nortje return.
