New Delhi: Indian pacer Khaleel Ahmed shared his bond with former India captain MS Dhoni during their playing time together. The Rajasthan -born player made his international debut in September 2018 during the Asia Cup 2018 against Hong Kong.
Apart from the Hong Kong match in India’s opener, Khaleel also featured in their final match of the Super four stage against Afghanistan with the selectors opting to rest all the key players. While regular skipper Rohit Sharma was rested, MS Dhoni was named as stand-in captain, which also marked his 200th match as India captain in the ODIs.
Khaleel opened the bowling attack for India in that match and returned with figures of 1 for 45, claiming the dismissal of Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Speaking to Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel about the moment MS Dhoni handed him the new ball, the 26-year-old said:
“Since my childhood, I wanted to become the bowler who took took the first over from India since I had watched Zaheer Khan growing up. In the Asia Cup, Mahi bhai, asked me to bowl the first over. I ran so hard, away from the huddle thinking that if I give it time he might change his mind.”
‘Mahi bhai is not my friend, not my elder brother, he is my guru (teacher/mentor),” Khaleel further explained how important was it for him to play under the leadership of the iconic player.
Khaleel returns to international fold after more than four years
Khaleel Ahmed earned his India comeback this year in the three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe in July. Before that, his last international assignment was in November 2019. Thanks to his excellent performance in IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals, claiming 17 scalps at an economy rate of 9.58.
Khaleel will next be in action in the Duleep Trophy 2024, starting on September 5. He will feature for India A under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
Indian pacer Khaleel Ahmed shared his bond with former India captain MS Dhoni during their playing time together. The Rajasthan -born player made his international debut in September 2018 during the Asia Cup 2018 against Hong Kong. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
