In the saddest part for the Indian cricket team on their South Africa tour, Mohammed Shami’s anticipated participation in the two-match Test series faced a hurdle due to concerns over his fitness. Unfortunately, the seasoned pacer did not receive clearance from the BCCI’s medical team, leading to his absence from the red-ball series in the Rainbow Nation.
Stepping into the spotlight as Shami’s replacement is the right-arm medium pacer Avesh Khan. Avesh, who had previously been part of the ODI squad, proved his mettle in the three-match series, which India claimed 2-1. The defining moment came in the series opener at The Wanderers in Johannesburg, where Avesh’s exceptional performance played a pivotal role in India’s victory.
Avesh Khan showcased his bowling prowess by claiming impressive figures of 4/27. His skillful execution on the field caused significant damage to South Africa’s batting order, resulting in the Proteas being bundled out for a mere 116 runs in just 27.3 overs. The Indian team capitalized on Avesh’s stellar performance, efficiently chasing down the target in a mere 17 overs and securing a convincing eight-wicket victory.
The inclusion of Avesh Khan as an injury replacement not only underscores the depth of talent in the Indian squad but also highlights the team’s adaptability to unforeseen challenges. As the South Africa tour progresses, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await Avesh’s contributions in the upcoming second Test, anticipating another display of his bowling prowess.
With Mohammed Shami’s absence and Avesh Khan’s remarkable debut in the Test arena, the narrative of India’s campaign in South Africa takes an unexpected yet intriguing turn. As the cricketing saga unfolds, fans remain on the edge of their seats, witnessing the resilience and dynamism of the Indian cricket team in the face of adversity.
India’s squad for 2nd Test:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Avesh Khan