Avesh Khan, a young Madhya Pradesh speedy, has revealed that Ricky Ponting, the great Australian captain and head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has always supported him.

The Delhi Capitals franchise did not retain Avesh Khan, who concluded the Indian Premier League 2021 as the second-highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets, ahead of the IPL 2022 super auction.

Avesh informed Boria Majumdar on ‘Backstage with Boria’ that Ponting has always supported him and promised him that he will play for India. He told:

“On the day of my first match, Ricky Ponting put his hands on my shoulders and said, ‘This is your opportunity.’ “You need to showcase yourself now that you’ve been with the crew for 4 years.”

“He has always been there for me. It’s not like I was forced to bowl in the nets just because I hadn’t played any matches previously. He was always kind and encouraging to me. I recall him saying, “I’d play for India.”

The DC head coach reminded the Madhya Pradesh pacer that he has to be ready for his opportunity. Avesh said:

“He kept reminding me that I better be ready for my turn. Because I was always one of the 12-13 players chosen, I never made it to the starting XI, but last year I got to play from the start and lived up to his expectations.”

Avesh Khan said, Ricky Ponting believed in me, and Rishabh Pant gave me a lot of support.

Avesh stated that the Indian Premier League 2021 was a fantastic season for him, and that the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Ishant Sharma at the start of the competition provided him with an opportunity to make the starting XI.
He told:

“IPL 2021 was terrific for me because I was the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.” Before that, I spent 3 years with the Delhi Capitals, although there were not quite as many opportunities. I had only played two matches in the previous two years, so I had not had the opportunity to demonstrate my skill.

“Rabada and Nortje were out for the first two games, and Ishant had a little injury, we were unable to perform” and Ishant was also unavailable, I had a strong opportunity last year, and because I had been there for three years.”

Former Delhi Capitals pacer said that, in addition to DC head coach Ponting, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant really supported him. Avesh continued:

“Ricky Ponting and Rishabh Pant believed in me, especially Rishabh, who told me, ‘You have these two matches to prove yourself”, after that you have to make your position in the squad.'” Following that, I had trust in my hard work, believing that I would do well enough to gain a position on the team, play well, and contribute to the team’s success.”All I asked was an opportunity to showcase myself.”

Avesh also discussed his debut match in the IPL 2021, in which he dismissed Faf du Plessis and MS Dhoni, saying:

“As a player, if you participate in the first match for any team, you become the team’s key player.” And at a stage like the IPL, I had the chance to play from the first match, which was a great opportunity to show myself, and in the first match itself, I dismissed Faf du Plessis and Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), so I gained a lot of confidence. After that, I just kept doing what I was doing and tried to develop myself and learn from my failures.”