A move that exchanges one piece for another is referred to as “winning the exchange” in chess terminology. Specifically, this means that a Rook is traded for a lesser piece, usually a Knight or a Bishop. Devdutt Padikkal and Avesh Khan were involved in a deal between the Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals last year, and the comparison of chess and its obsessively allegorical analogies are irresistibly compelling in this context.
Avesh Khan scalped 16 batsmen in 15 matches, including a few of memorable last-over bowls, while Padikkal scored 38 runs in seven games. Determining who stands for the Bishop or Knight and who represents the Rook is a personal decision. But it’s clear who prevailed in this symbolic match: the Rajasthan Royals are still vying for the IPL crown, while the Lucknow Super Giants have been eliminated.
“I have profited from the trade, even though it was not under my control. There have been a few technical adjustments made to my action since last year. After working with my tutors, I participated in the Duleep and Deodhar trophies. I might even be able to rejoin the Indian squad. I realized then how to maintain physical fitness, when to exert effort, and how much effort could be exerted,” Avesh remarked following an outstanding showing from him in the bowling department against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday night (May 22).
Since the move, Avesh (27) has improved as a bowler. Additionally, he has made the game simpler for himself by only eating, sleeping, and bowling. This year, he has doubled his output, having only managed eight wickets in nine games the previous year. Furthermore, he is not finished yet.
“I entered the IPL last year after playing ten Ranji Trophy games for LSG, where I bowled almost 320 overs. The body was not reacting as it should. I was trying, but it was not getting results. It becomes clear to you as a bowler. Despite being a four-over or 20-over match, the Indian Premier League requires a lot of work. There will be obvious signs of both physical and mental exhaustion, he said. This season, he did not play Ranji Trophy.
Avesh has improved his pace by a few yards and incorporated changes from the previous year. He exhibits what is commonly referred to as a delayed action, meaning there is a lag. The body advances a little bit before the release point, which helps with some deliveries, especially yorkers. Additionally, he’s become a proficient slow bouncer.
According to a bowling guru who has worked with him since he joined the Royals, “this makes him a good package to bowl at the death.” Because of his bowling angle, which is extremely wide of the crease, he struggles with both center and frontal bowling. Because of this, he is unable to bowl a nice line or length in a very small hallway.
“The six that Rajat Patidar hit him with (during Wednesday’s game) over the fine leg is an example; depending on the angle from which he delivers it, it either becomes a free hit down leg side for the right-hander or he adjusts by giving room outside off. Only when attempting to bowl a regular line and length will this occur. Because of this, he can bowl slower or fuller, which makes him a better bowler in the end of the game “explains the Royals’ technical guru, breaking down Avesh’s bowling.
Before, Avesh was a sitting duck in the final overs. In the 2021 season, RCB defeated Delhi Capitals with a thrilling victory because to KS Bharat’s memorable six off the final ball. Since then, he’s gone a long way.
When the Lucknow team was chasing 27, Avesh gave up just six runs in the final over of the season’s opening match against LSG. He was bowling to two powerful hitters, Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran. In the last over of the Royals’ season-opening match against Washington, DC, he held his own against 16 runs and gave up just four singles to two more hard-hitting hitters, Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel. He recorded statistics of two for 35 in the high-scoring match against Kolkata Knight Riders, which the Royals won chasing 224.
“I aim to bowl the delivery that I would have considered at the top of my mark, give it everything I have, and remain comfortable. I always attempt to bowl a slow bouncer or a wide yorker/yorker in the death overs. In regards to his strategy in the death overs, Avesh remarked, “I have gotten good results from these deliveries and I don’t change much.”
He was really effective in his later overs on Wednesday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium. He was struck for a six off the opening delivery of the fifteenth over, but he still managed to capture a wicket and give up just three runs. He took two wickets in the 19th over for the side and conceded just five runs. That may have ultimately turned the tide of the game in the Royals’ favour as RCB finished with a disappointing score of 172 for eight. If the Royals hadn’t won an exciting finale with ten or fifteen runs more, they might have had trouble chasing.
“During our team meetings, we discuss trivial topics. It made a big difference that we bowled brilliantly in the last two overs (he gave up only five runs in the 19th over and Sandeep Sharma gave 13 runs). Since our goal was so much lower, they realized that their total—172 out of eight—was below average. They may have quickly gotten to 180–185. We talk about these points. Regarding their tactics, Avesh remarked, “We try to use the dimensions of the ground and exploit the weaknesses of the batsmen.”
Avesh has performed so well in the IPL that he was a candidate to represent India in the T20 World Cup. Avesh, who has played in eight ODIs and twenty T20Is, would have been considered if the selectors had not chosen to include an extra spinner (they are taking four spinners). Given his outstanding performance this season, a national recall might not be too far off.
