NEW DELHI: two years ago, Avesh Khan he was among the reserves during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. Since then, hampered by injuries and subsequent loss of form, his international career has gone downhill.Now, after a disappointing performance for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the pacer from Madhya Pradesh has played a key role in Chambal Ghariyals winning the 2026 Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL) title. The six-foot-two-inch fast bowler, making his MPL debut, took 13 wickets during Ghariyal’s title-winning campaign.The path to this personal and team glory was not easy. It’s been almost a year since Avesh had knee surgery.“It was difficult. (Uthna, baithna, nahaana, sona sab mushkil ho gaya tha operation ke baad) I had knee surgery, even simple things like bathing, sitting and sleeping became a challenge. I couldn’t move for almost three weeks and it was frustrating,” he told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat.“It’s very difficult 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 finished my rehab properly and tried to keep myself mentally strong. 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 will end and I’ll be back playing cricket.”
Avesh Khan played for Chambal Ghariyals in Madhya Pradesh T20 League.
Avesh, who has 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 wants to return to the Indian team via Early 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 in a week. If I can consistently bowl around 30 overs a week for four weeks, I will know my body is ready,” Avesh shared his plans.“Ranji Trophy involves long spells, travel and short recovery periods, so your body has 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 should 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’ll know my body is ready.
Avesh Khan
Avesh admits that playing all three formats is a challenge, but he enjoys it. He believes the adaptation of all three formats is only in the works, insisting that 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,” said Avesh. “In T20 cricket, you need variations like yorkers, wide yorkers, slower bouncers and cutters. I developed these skills gradually over time.”Although he has been working on expanding his white-ball skills, the Madhya Pradesh player admitted that red-ball cricket is 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 celebrates the wicket of GJ’s Shahrukh Khan with teammates 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, managing his bowling load and building his body for the longer format.Avesh also dismissed the idea that bowlers should fear the run contests that have become commonplace in T20 cricket.“I always look at it as an opportunity. I don’t think about running,” he said.
If I play 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 play 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’s been a long journey indeed for Avesh Khan, who was once hailed as the next big thing but has fallen down the pecking order. His path to the top was anything but simple. Financial difficulties, injuries and lack of opportunity slowed his progress, but like any fast bowler, he kept on charging.
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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 in the middle overs, 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 another return to India.
