Khaleel Ahmed, the Delhi Capitals pacer, has made a triumphant return to the Indian cricket team after a four-and-a-half-year absence. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer has been named as a standby for the upcoming T20 World Cup, a testament to his impressive performances for DC in the ongoing IPL.
Ahmed has been in scintillating form this season, claiming 14 wickets in 12 matches. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a formidable force in the DC bowling attack.
Speaking on the DC Podcast, Ahmed expressed his delight at being recalled to the national team. “The way the past few months were going and the way the IPL started, I had the intuition that something good would happen,” he said. “As the IPL matches progressed, my confidence continued to grow. I realized I was bowling well, and it has always been about moving one step ahead. Finally, when the name came, I was so happy, and it’s a step ahead for me.”
Ahmed’s last appearance for India was in a T20 match against Bangladesh in Nagpur in November 2019. Since then, he has endured a challenging period, missing out on selection for the national team.
“2019 was a long time ago. Every day, at the back of my mind, I missed that feeling of playing for the country,” Ahmed said. “Every time I used to watch India play, I used to imagine what I would have done if I was there in the team. So, every day was like a battle and these kinds of conversations were going on inside my head.”
Despite the setbacks, Ahmed remained determined to regain his place in the Indian team. He took just a week’s break after the last IPL and played all the domestic matches.
“It’s tough as a fast bowler, but I made up my mind that irrespective of what happens to me, I’m going to play all the matches. I pushed myself mentally in the past year and have grown with it,” he said.
Ahmed believes that the current IPL season, which has been a nightmare for bowlers, is the perfect opportunity for fast bowlers to shine.
“If a bowler performs in tough situations like these, he will be considered a King, and I want to be that King. So, this is what my mentality has been about the current scenario,” he said.
Ahmed’s return to the Indian team is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome adversity to reclaim his place in the national setup and is now poised to make a significant contribution to India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
