Delhi Capitals‘ (DC) left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed emerged as the hero in their crucial win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024, bagging the Player of the Match award for his unplayable spell in the powerplay. His impactful performance, however, wasn’t a stroke of luck, but a result of the confidence he gained from the domestic season.
Khaleel Ahmed spell sets tone for DC win
Khaleel Ahmed’s swing bowling proved too hot to handle for the CSK top order. He dismissed both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra cheaply in his opening overs, effectively crippling their run flow. His economical figures of 2-21 in his four overs choked the life out of CSK’s chase and laid the foundation for DC’s victory.
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Rishabh Pant’s contributions
Beyond his own performance, Ahmed praised the contributions of his teammates. He acknowledged the importance of a strong top order, with openers Prithvi Shaw and David Warner providing a solid foundation with their runs. He also expressed his delight at his close friend Rishabh Pant’s return to form, highlighting their long-standing cricketing bond since their U-19 days.
Khaleel Ahmed in the post-match press conference talked about Prithvi Shaw, David Warner and Rishabh Pant:
“It is very pleasant news for us that the top-order is making runs for us. You are one step ahead in the match if top-order is scoring. Opposition will remain down if players like David Warner and Prithvi Shaw are on the crease.”
“He (Rishabh Pant) is like a brother to me and hence am feeling extra happy for him. We have played cricket together since U-14 days. It’s really good to see him making a comeback. And now he has scored so much runs, this is happy news to us.”
Domestic Season: Refining Skills
When asked about the factors behind his success, Khaleel Ahmed credited the domestic season for boosting his confidence. He emphasized the value of playing in diverse conditions, which helps players understand their bodies and refine their bowling plans. This experience, he believes, translated into his stellar performance for DC in the IPL.
“Domestic season gave a lot of confidence to me. With the variety of conditions on offer, domestic season provides a unique challenge. You get to know about your body and bowling plans also.”
DC on the Rise
Khaleel Ahmed’s performance is a testament to the importance of domestic cricket in nurturing talent. His success, coupled with the contributions of other DC players, signals a team on the rise. With a newfound confidence and a well-rounded team effort, DC looks poised to make a strong run in IPL 2024.
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