Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) high spirits and momentum from a six-game winning streak leading into the IPL 2024 playoffs, their journey was halted by the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Controlling the game for most of the match, RR defeated RCB by four wickets with an over to spare, thereby advancing to Qualifier 2, where they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad for a berth in the final.
Avesh Khan, a travelling reserve in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, played a crucial role in RR’s victory. In the post-match conference, Avesh emphasized his commitment to giving his all, staying calm, and sticking to his planned approach. He highlighted the success of his specific deliveries—yorkers, wide yorkers, and slower bouncers—especially during the death overs, which have consistently proven effective for him.
“I always give my 100%, stay relaxed, and bowl the delivery that I would have thought about at the top of my mark. In the death overs, I always try to bowl a wide yorker, yorker, or a slow bouncer. I have got good results from these deliveries and I don’t change much,” Avesh Khan stated during the post-match conference.
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The 27-year-old showcased remarkable resilience during the knockout game, especially after a challenging start. He was hit for 30 runs in his first two overs, and his third over began with a maximum, making it seem like he was in for more punishment.
When you are bowling, emotions are quite high: Avesh Khan#DineshKarthik #IPL2024https://t.co/bGD9xXlOpB
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However, Avesh made a stunning comeback, taking the crucial wicket of the dangerous Rajat Patidar. He followed this with a double-wicket 19th over, dismissing the in-form Dinesh Karthik and the powerful Mahipal Lomror, thereby compensating for his earlier high economy rate.
Reflecting on his previous IPL season with the Lucknow Super Giants, Avesh noted the physical and mental toll of the tournament. After playing for Madhya Pradesh in eight matches and bowling a total of 243.4 overs, he felt overworked and realized that his body wasn’t functioning optimally despite his efforts. He acknowledged that even though the IPL is a shorter format compared to longer formats, it still demands significant effort and can lead to noticeable fatigue.
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“Last year when I played for LSG, I had come into the IPL from playing 10 Ranji Trophy games in which I bowled about 320 overs. The body was not responding properly. I was putting in effort but it was not working. As a bowler, you realize this. The IPL demands a lot of effort even though it is a four-over or a 20-over contest. Mental and physical fatigue will be strikingly visible,” Avesh Khan added.
This blend of personal reflection and tactical insight highlights the challenges players face and the resilience required to compete at the highest levels of cricket, underscoring the demanding nature of the IPL and the dedication of its players.
