I want to make my own identity, says pacer Avesh Khan

He touched 139.8kmph against Pakistan in the last Under-19 World Cup. At six feet two inches, he bowls raw pace and his weapon, a sharp offcutter that defined India’s 82-run win over Bangladesh in the U-19 triseries ODI tournament in Kolkata. Meet India’s young pace gun — Avesh Khan, an unassuming 18-year-old from Indore, who wants to create his own identity.

“I can’t name any, I’ve many favourites but no idol. I want to be like myself,” Khan said after his 6-3-4-4 bowled India to a bonus-point victory at the Jadavpur University second campus ground in Saltlake.

“Medium pace is not my forte. I just want to bowl pace. Today I’m not sure about the speed as it’s not measured here. But yes against Pakistan in the World Cup 2014 in UAE I had clocked 139.8kmph.”

Having been groomed by former India lefthander Amoy Khurasiya at Indore, Khan is now revelling under the tutelage of Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid who is the coach of U-19 side.

Besides being hardworking, Khan on Friday showed why he’s a good learner as well.

After being skittled out for 158 in 45.3 overs, India U-19 were in a spot of bother in the opening match of the Triseries but Dravid told Khan ‘forget the result, just bowl stump-to-stump’.

He did just that and gave India a first-ball breakthrough when his sharp in-cutter castled Mohammad Saif Hasan and he went on to claim a wicket in each of his first four overs as Bangladesh could not recover from the terror to be bundled out for 76 in 22 overs. “At the break, Rahul sir told me not to look at the total or the result and just bowl stump to stump. The idea was to give the team early breakthroughs and not let any partnership going. It worked for us.”

He further said the presence of Dravid in the dressing room is a huge boost for the entire side.

India beat Afghanistan by 33 runs The Indian Under-19 cricket team registered their second successive win in the tri-series as they beat Afghanistan by 33 runs at the Jadavpur University ground here on Saturday.

With the win, India now have nine points from two games. Rashid Arman top scored for the visitors with 43 while Khaleel Ahmed picked up 4/41 for India. Chasing India’s total of 236, the visitors could only manage 203 in 47.3 overs. Scores: India U-19 236 in 50 overs (Rishabh Pant 87, Mahipal Lomror 43, Rashid Khan 4/47) beat Afghanistan U-19 203 in 47.3 overs (Rashid Khan 43, Khaleel Ahmed 4/41).