Meet Khaleel Ahmed, Left-Arm Pacer Kept In India's T20 World Cup Reserve Squad
Khaleel Ahmed in India squad T20 World Cup 2024: Among the notable inclusions, medium pacer Khaleel Ahmed's selection adds an element of surprise to the roster.
Khaleel Ahmed In India squad T20 World Cup 2024: India's much-anticipated T20 World Cup squad for 2024 was revealed on Tuesday, placing seasoned batsman Rohit Sharma as captain, with Hardik Pandya appointed as vice-captain. Virat Kholi, who was subjected to heavy speculation of not being part of the shortest format of cricket, has now been confirmed alongside power hitters Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rishabh Pant has been entrusted with the wicketkeeping duties, while Sanju Samson, bolstered by a strong IPL 2024 performance, secures a spot in the 15-man roster. Notably absent from the lineup is KL Rahul, a decision that has sparked discussion among fans and analysts alike. Meanwhile, the leg-spin prowess of Yuzvendra Chahal finds its place in the squad, adding a crucial dimension to India's bowling arsenal.
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Additionally, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar has named Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan as reserves for the tournament, ensuring depth and flexibility within the squad.
Here's the complete list of players that are part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c)
Hardik Pandya (vc)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Sanju Samson (wk)
Shivam Dube
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Yuzvendra Chahal
Arshdeep Singh
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohd. Siraj
India squad T20 World Cup 2024 Reserves:
Shubman Gill
Rinku Singh
Khaleel Ahmed
Avesh Khan
Among the notable inclusions, medium pacer Khaleel Ahmed's selection adds an element of surprise to the roster. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, India aims to mount a formidable challenge at the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to commence later this year.
READ | Fans React As Rinku Singh, KL Rahul Get Excluded From India's T20 World Cup 2024 Squad
Who Is Khaleel Ahmed
Hailing from Tonk, Rajasthan, Khaleel Khursheed Ahmed's cricketing journey began amidst the dusty lanes of his hometown, where he honed his craft with the humble tennis ball. It was this grassroots initiation that propelled him into the spotlight, earning him a spot in the India under-19 squad for the 2016 World Cup.
Despite a modest tally of three wickets in six games during the tournament, Khaleel's raw talent caught the discerning eye of none other than Rahul Dravid, then-head coach of the Colts.
Subsequently, he found himself in the fold of the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a nominal sum of Rs 10 lakhs.
Though opportunities to showcase his prowess were scant in the initial seasons, Khaleel's resilience and dedication bore fruit when Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired him for a staggering INR 3 crores ahead of the 2018 IPL.
Despite limited appearances in the IPL, Khaleel's meteoric rise continued on the domestic circuit, culminating in a prolific stint with India-A during their tour to England, where he amassed 15 wickets in just nine matches. This stellar performance propelled him into the senior national team, marking his debut against Hong Kong in the 2018 Asia Cup, where he notched up three crucial wickets.
However, Khaleel's journey has been marred by bouts of injury and inconsistency, hindering his regular inclusion in India's cricketing setup. Yet, his standout performance in the 2019 IPL, where he bagged 19 wickets from a mere nine outings, underscored his potential as a potent bowling asset.
Why Khaleel Ahmed Now?
As India grapples with the absence of seasoned campaigners like Mohammed Shami and the need for left-arm pace options, Khaleel Ahmed emerges as a compelling candidate to bolster the bowling attack. With the spotlight now firmly on him and fellow left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel's resurgence offers a glimmer of hope for India's quest for bowling depth, particularly in the T20 format.
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