New Delhi: Two years ago, Avish Khan He was one of the substitute players during India’s successful campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, his international career has been thrown into disarray due to injuries and subsequent poor form.Now, after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s disappointing performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Madhya Pradesh pacer plays a key role in Chambal Galiyars winning the 2026 Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL) title. The 6-foot-2 fast bowler, making his MPL debut, took 13 wickets during Galiyal’s title-winning run.The path to personal and team glory is not easy. It’s been almost a year since Avish underwent knee surgery.“It’s difficult. (Uthna, baithna, nahaana, sona sab mushkil ho gaya tha surgery ke baad) I had knee surgery and even simple things like showering, sitting, and sleeping became a challenge. I have not been able to move freely for nearly three weeks, which is frustrating,” he told TOI in an exclusive chat.“It’s very difficult for a fast bowler because when you get injured, you’re out for two or three months and then have to find your rhythm again.“I went through the rehab correctly and tried to keep myself mentally strong. Injuries are frustrating because there’s nothing you can do about it. Recovery takes time and rehab is exhausting. I kept telling myself that this phase would be over and I would be back playing cricket.”
Avesh Khan plays for Chambal Ghariyals in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League.
Avish, who has played 8 ODIs and 25 T20Is, last played for India in November 2024. The speedster now feels he is at the peak of his fitness and is keen to pass ranji trophy.“I’m ready to go through it again,” he said. “If a fast bowler wants to play in the Ranji Trophy, he should be able to bowl at least 30 overs in a week. If I can consistently bowl around 30 overs every week for four weeks, I will know that my body is ready,” Avish shared his plan.“The Ranji Trophy involves long matches, travel and a short recovery period, so your body has to be ready. I also play two to three practice matches before the season,” Avish added.
If a fast bowler wants to play in the Ranji Trophy, he should be able to bowl at least 30 overs in a week. If I can consistently hit about 30 balls a week for four weeks, I’ll know my body is ready.
Avish Khan
Avish admits that playing all three formats is a challenge but he enjoys it. He believes adapting to all three formats is in the preparation process, insisting that fast bowlers should focus on finding the right balance rather than making excuses.“If you know how to find the right balance, then nothing is difficult,” Avish said. “In T20 cricket, you need variations like yorkers, wide yorkers, slower pinballers and chippers. I gradually developed these skills over time.”While he has been working hard to expand his white-ball skills, the Madhya Pradesh pacer admits that red-ball cricket remains his biggest ambition. Despite being named in the Indian Test squad, he is yet to make his debut and will be hoping to change that in the upcoming domestic season.
Ahmedabad: LSG’s Avish Khan celebrates with teammates the wicket of GJ’s Shah Rukh Khan during the IPL 2025 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Supergiants at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan)
“I love red-ball cricket. Playing Test cricket for India in the long term is my biggest goal,” he said, adding that after the MPL, he will shift his focus to preparation for the Ranji Trophy by improving fitness, managing bowling workload and building fitness for the long-term format.Avish also rejected the idea that bowlers should fear the runs that are common in T20 cricket.“I always look at it as an opportunity. I don’t think about getting hit because of the run,” he said.
If I perform well in high-scoring games, people will notice more. If I can help my team win in this situation, that would be special.
Avish Khan
“If I have a good performance in a high-scoring game, people will notice it more. If I can help my team win from a situation like that, that’s special. That’s the mentality I always try to keep.”It’s been a long road indeed for Avesh Khan, who was once touted as the next big thing but has fallen down the draft order. His journey to the top has been anything but smooth. Financial difficulties, injuries and lack of opportunities slowed his progress but like every fast bowler, he kept charging.
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Now, with India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill making it clear that the team wants to invest in tall fast bowlers who can take wickets in the middle order, a fully fit Avesh could still force his way back into the national team. A strong Ranji Trophy season could be the first step towards another comeback for India.
