The Rajasthan Royals secured their second consecutive victory in the 2024 IPL season, defeating the Delhi Capitals by 12 runs in a thrilling encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. While the batting heroics of Riyan Parag laid the foundation for the Royals’ win, it was the young pacer Avesh Khan who emerged as the unlikely hero in the final over.
With the Capitals needing 17 runs for victory, Avesh Khan displayed remarkable composure and accuracy, bowling a series of impeccable yorkers that restricted them to just 4 runs, sealing the win for Rajasthan.
“Back My Yorkers”: Avesh Khan Explains His Winning Strategy
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Avesh Khan, who finished with figures of 1/29, shed light on his approach in the final over. “My plan was clear,” he stated. “One side of the wicket was slightly longer, and I wanted to bowl wide yorkers consistently.”
He elaborated on his thought process, revealing that he took a brief pause between each delivery to formulate his execution plan. “I gave myself 5 seconds every ball to think and then execute the plan. If the batters played a good shot, it’s good for him, but I always back my yorkers,” Avesh Khan said with confidence.
Learning from the Masters: Team Management’s Role in Avesh Khan’s Development
Avesh Khan also acknowledged the vital role played by his team management and senior teammates in his development. “We have Trent Boult, Nandre Burger, and Sandeep Sharma in the team,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from them in terms of death bowling strategies and maintaining composure under pressure.”
Highlighting the team environment, he added, “The team management and Kumar Sangakkara, our advisor, have supported us a lot and have made us not worry too much about the fear of failure. This allows us to express ourselves freely on the field.”
Continuous Improvement: Avesh Khan’s Focus Beyond IPL
Looking beyond the immediate success, Avesh Khan revealed his constant drive to improve. “I always want to improve,” he declared. “I want to invent new types of deliveries in T20 cricket.”
He elaborated on his approach to self-improvement, stating that a balanced routine of rest, relaxation, and focused net practice has been instrumental in his development. “I rest and relax well, work hard in the nets, and that has allowed me to improve my skills,” Avesh Khan concluded.
Royals Outplay Capitals Riding On Parag’s Heroics
While Avesh Khan’s brilliance in the final over overshadowed many other aspects of the match, it’s important to acknowledge the significant contributions of other players. Riyan Parag’s magnificent 84-run knock, the highest score of his IPL career, was crucial in propelling the Royals to a competitive total of 185/5.
Despite David Warner’s valiant 49 for Delhi, their batting faltered under pressure, succumbing to the combined firepower of the Royals’ bowling attack. Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal were the pick of the bowlers, each picking up two crucial wickets.
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