Madhya Pradesh fast bowler Avesh Khan became India’s latest ODI debutant when he got his maiden ODI opportunity on Sunday during the second ODI against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port Of Spain, Trinidad.
The Lucknow Super Giants seamer became the 244th ODI player for Team India. Avesh, who has played 9 T20Is so far for India, received his ODI debut cap from Shikhar Dhawan, who is leading the side in this ODI series while regular skipper Rohit Sharma is on a rest.
Avesh Khan gets selected over Arshdeep Singh
Head coach Rahul Dravid first said a few words of appreciation and motivation for Avesh before nodding to Dhawan to hand the youngster his first ODI cap.
The BCCI uploaded the video of this cap ceremony. “All smiles in the huddle as@Avesh_6 receives his ODI cap from Captain @SDhawan25 Go well, Avesh!,” the video was captioned.
You can watch it here:
All smiles in the huddle as @Avesh_6 receives his ODI cap from Captain @SDhawan25
Go well, Avesh!#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/fFUeyQ3pYS
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2022
Avesh replaced Prasidh Krishna in the eleven, after the latter had leaked 62 runs in 9 overs in the first ODI.
While fans wished Avesh all the luck and support for his maiden ODI stint, some also expressed their shock and upsetness with Arshdeep Sing being ignored, especially given Arshdeep’s numbers in List-A cricket are better than those of Avesh.
In 22 List-A matches, Avesh has 17 wickets at a poor bowling average of 50. On the other other hand, left-armer Arshdeep has taken 21 wickets in 17 List-A games at a decent bowling average of 30.
Check out the reactions of fans:
Happy for Avesh Khan, making his debut, he has been a consistent performer over the years in domestics. #WIvIND @Avesh_6
— Rashi (@IamAditea) July 24, 2022
Avesh Khan be like..#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/KnGffebao4
— Tari Poha (@Alone_Mastt) July 24, 2022
Avesh Khan making his ODI debut.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 24, 2022
Avesh Khan replace Prasidh Krishna in the India’s XI.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 24, 2022
Just In: Avesh Khan is all set to make his ODI debut in the second ODI against West Indies
: BCCI/Twitter#AveshKhan #WIvsIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/7M85ZNKEDW
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) July 24, 2022
: BCCI/TwitterAvesh Khan is making his Debut for india in ODIs.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 24, 2022
Avesh Khan making his ODI debut tonight.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 24, 2022
Apart from Avesh, this is also a milestone game for West Indian opener Shai Hope, who is playing his 100th ODI. Hope was presented with a special ODI jersey with the number 100 printed on its back by former West Indian legend Desmond Haynes.
West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran won the toss and elected to bat first on what he felt is a decent surface and said that they will look to post a total above 250.
“I am going to bat first, it’s the same wicket. Anything over 250 will be challenging here. We need to build partnerships, we need to show up again and do the same thing again. One forced change, Motie is out – Hayden Walsh is in. If he (Hope) scores it’s fine, if he doesn’t not a problem, the other batters can chip in,” Pooran said.
India skipper Shikhar Dhawan concurred with Pooran about the pitch, and said, “I feel it’s a good wicket. It gets slower and offers some turn. After the last game’s experience we wanted to bat first again. We gave few runs in the field, we need to work on that. We are well prepared and looking forward for a good game. Siraj and Prasidh bowled well, I am sure we are going to do much better today. Prasidh Krishna is out and Avesh Khan comes in – he is making his ODI debut today.”
Teams:
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w), Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran(c), Rovman Powell, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Hayden Walsh
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
