IPL 2021: Virender Sehwag picks ‘under-the-radar’ player of the season

IPL 2021: Virender Sehwag picks ‘under-the-radar’ player of the season

Virender Sehwag

The 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw only 29 matches being played before a spike in COVID 19 cases led to the suspension of the league. With 380 runs from eight matches and 17 wickets from seven games, Shikhar Dhawan and Harshal Patel were holders of the Orange Cap and Purple Cap respectively. But apart from them, there were other breakout stars and one of them in Delhi Capitals‘ Avesh Khan.

The young quick was second on the purple cap list with 14 games in eight games. Avesh was relentless game after game as he found himself in wickets in every encounter, yet Virender Sehwag feels that he didn’t get the recognition he deserved. The former Indian opener feels that the presence of some big guns in the Capitals line up overshadowed the rising talent.

“In this team, we talk about Rabada, Ashwin, Patel, Mishra… but no one talks about Avesh Khan. So, he is this season’s ‘under-the-radar’ player. He comes quietly, picks up 2-3 wickets and was [up there in race for Purple Cap, next only to Harshal Patel,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

“Avesh Khan just gone about doing his job efficiently,” Pommie Mbangwa

Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan

Former Zimbabwe player Pommie Mbangwa too shares Sehwag’s opinion. Mbangwa asserts that the 24 year old was spot on in his role in any stage of the game, yet he didn’t get the credit he deserves. Avesh was in prolific wicket taking form this season and became his captain’s go to man for wickets ahead of the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Australian contingent departs for Maldives; Michael Hussey stays back

“No doubt, it’s Avesh Khan. I don’t think there’s been too much said about him, or written about him. But he’s just gone about doing his job efficiently. He’s been effective at the front and at the end.“

“He’s taken wickets in all three phases of the game and at the death too, he has been very good bowling nice lengths, changing his pace when needed to and bowling good yorkers at the back end too,” Mbangwa told Cricbuzz.

A BCCI official reportedly spoke to The Times of India and revealed that three venues – UAE, UK and Australia are being considered to hold the remainder of IPL 2021 in September. “It has to be played overseas. Certain suggestions have already been heard. The BCCI just has to make up its mind. A new destination will infuse freshness into the league and that itself will attract viewership. England and Australia are good options,” they reportedly said.

Also Read: India set to leave for England early ahead of World Test Championship Final – Reports