Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings faced off against each other in Vizag in an IPL 2024 game. The left-arm pacer for Delhi Capitals, Khaleel Ahmed was sensational with the ball yet again. He registered figures of 2/21 in his spell of four overs. He has been giving some consistent performances off late after coming back from injury. At the post-match presentation, Khaleel spoke about how he is dreaming to play for the Indian Cricket Team yet again. Now, with the T20 World Cup 2024 coming up after the IPL, I will talk about the three reasons why Khaled Ahmed should be picked for the T20 World Cup 2024.
3 Reasons Why India Should Pick Khaleel Ahmed In The T20 World Cup 2024 Squad:
#1 New Ball Brilliance
In T20 cricket, matches are decided when the powerplay is on. So, you need bowlers who can swing the ball at the start of the innings and pick up wickets when batters try to make use of the field restriction. Only Jasprit Bumrah (6.39) has a better powerplay economy rate in the IPL than Khaleel Ahmed (6.50) since 2022. In the probable T20 World Cup squad, India don’t have any wicket taking new ball bowler in T20 cricket besides Jasprit Bumrah. Moreover, India do need Bumrah at the death overs as well. So, Khaled would be a very good inclusion.
#2 Left arm pacer
Left arm pacers are a boon in T20 cricket because of the angle that they create. India does not boast of good left arm pacers after the retirement of Zaheer Khan. Arshdeep Singh has been going for runs in T20 cricket for quite some time. So, Khaleel Ahmed can be a wild card entry into the squad. Moreover, he also possess more pace than Arshdeep. So, he can be handy option for India in the World Cup.
#3 Better variations than Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh at the death overs
In T20 cricket, you can’t be predictable at the death overs. Bowlers are under a lot of pressure at the death, as the batters are looking to go for the big shots on every delivery. You have to possess the skills to have variations and also inch perfect yorkers. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj have been leaking runs off late at the death overs. Khaleel Ahmed has got good slower balls, and is restricting the run flow with his variations. So, his inclusion in the team can also solve the death bowling issues.
