IPL 2022: ‘I don’t care what people say about him but he is a fabulous prospect for India’ – Gavaskar on LSG youngster

The Lucknow Super Giants began their IPL 2022 campaign with a defeat to Gujarat Giants but the debutants made a roaring comeback with a six-wicket-win over Chennai Super Kings. Quinton de Kock and Evin Lewis hit half-centuries while captain KL Rahul sizzled with a knock of 40 as LSG chased down the 211-run target set by CSK. While in the first game against the Titans, LSG’s bowling was tight, it couldn’t repeat the disciplined show against CSK conceding over 200 runs. While most of the bowler produced expensive returns, one bowler’s efforts have fetches him massive praise from none other than Sunil Gavaskar. (Also Read: IPL 2022 Full Coverage)

The former India captain has said great things about young pacer Avesh Khan, and called him a future India prospect despite leaking runs at over nine an over in both matches. Against Titans, Avesh picked up 1/33 and grabbed 2/38 against CSK. Gavaskar feels that despite getting taken for runs, he is highly impressed with Avesh and is sure the fast bowler will be a prominent feature in the Indian team in time to come.

“If you get a batter out in your previous encounter, it gives you that much more confidence. On the other hand, if you’ve been hammered by the batter, you will just be a little bit nervous. And also, it’s a challenge, that ‘I have been hammered in the previous game and I want to show what I am capable of’. Avesh Khan is a very good prospect. I don’t care what people say about him but he is a fabulous prospect for India,” Gavaskar said while speaking on Star Sports.

Avesh had a fabulous IPL 2021 where he picked up 24 wickets to emerge as the second-highest wicket-taker behind Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel. Reaping its benefits, Avesh was represented India in two internationals – a T20I each against West Indies and Sri Lanka, picking up two wickets. Gavaskar was slightly critical with Avesh experimenting too much with the slow balls but the India legend feels it’s nothing the pacer cannot work on.

“He bowls quick. In the last match we saw that in the final over he was bowling basically slower deliveries so he got hit because those are not your regular deliveries. So, unless you practice the slower ones in the nets and get that length right, else either are going to bowl short and length and the batters are going to take you on for runs,” pointed out Gavaskar.