Follow UsAvesh Khan did not start the South Africa T20I series well as he went 0-35, 0-17 and 0-35 in the first three matches, but the team management's faith helped him pick up 4-18 in the fourth T20I on Friday at Rajkot. The pacer's spell was crucial to India's 82-run win as they levelled the five-match series 2-2.
Dinesh Karthik, whose 55 off 27 balls propelled India to 169/6 in 20 overs, mentioned after the match that the safe dressing room environment helped him put in a match-winning performance. Avesh echoed Karthik's sentiment as he credited head coach Rahul Dravid and the team management for their trust in him.
"The team hasn't changed over four games, so credit to Rahul (Dravid) sir. He gives chances to everybody and intends to give them a long enough run. He doesn't drop a player after one or two bad performances because you cannot judge a player on the basis of one or two games. Everyone is getting enough matches to prove themselves," Avesh said at the post-match press conference.
"Yes, there was pressure on me. I had zero wickets in three games but Rahul sir and the team management gave me another opportunity today and I ended up picking four wickets. It's also my papa's birthday, so it's a gift for him too," he added.
After put in to bat by South Africa, Indian batters struggled to get going as they managed 81/4 by the 13th over before Hardik Pandya (46 off 31 balls) and Karthik put things back on track. Avesh said his discussion with opener Ishan Kishan helped him understand the pitch better.
"I spoke to Ishan (Kishan) today and he said that hard length balls aren't easy to play. Some are bouncing, some are stopping and the others are keeping low. Then I planned to attack the stumps and bowl the hard lengths consistently. It's in my hands to bowl well, not pick wickets," Avesh said.
Avesh felt that India's plan to pick up early wickets worked after they sent back Quinton de Kock and Dwaine Pretorius by the sixth over after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma retired hurt due to a wrist injury.
"Today's wicket wasn't easy for batters, it was two-paced although DK bhai, Hardik and Rishabh all played well. 170 was a very good total on this wicket and all we wanted to ensure was pick a couple of wickets in the powerplay," Avesh said.