Young and exciting Team India paceman Khaleel Ahmed, who has improved leaps and bounds is aiming high ahead of the 2019 World Cup. The 21-year-old left-arm pacer has made his international debut for the Men in Blue in September 2018 against Hong Kong during the Asia Cup 2018 campaign.
With World Cup, a chance once in a four year, Khaleel is hope against hope to make it to the list of 15-man squad for the Men in Blue.
The youngster is all set to represent his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is expecting to deliver according to the expectations.
Khaleel looks at IPL as a medium for the 2019 World Cup:
Khaleel has set his sights on the quadrennial event scheduled in England from May 30.
“I still feel my World Cup chances are very much there. And if I perform well for Sunrisers Hyderabad, you never know,” Khaleel told Times of India.
With India’s squad almost decided, IPL will play a crucial role in helping selectors to pick a couple of players in order to complete their squad for the ODI showpiece. Thus, Khaleel is keen to feature in most of the IPL games, this time around.
“I am hopeful of getting a good number of IPL games this year,” he added.
Khaleel, who has been with the senior team, has learnt a lot during a couple of series. He revealed he is focused while working on his bowling and fielding respectively by taking the World Cup into consideration.
“I am training keeping my WC dreams in mind. I am working hard on both my bowling and fielding,” Khaleel said.
Kumble motivates Khaleel:
With doors party open, Khaleel knowns what it takes to become of the aspirant for such multi-nation tournaments.
Earlier, former Team India leg-spinner and chief coach Anil Kumble named Khaleel in his squad. Concurrently, Khaleel is hopeful to strengthen his case by reaping rewards in the most-successful league.
“When a player of his stature feels that I’m worthy enough to represent the country in an event as big as World Cup. It gives me extra motivation to work hard,” Khaleel said on Kumble.
The seamer has been expensive during his early international days; however, he has already what he’s capable of with the white-ball. Khaleel has worked tirelessly to improve his game.
With Khaleel facing an arduous task, he made it clear by saying he is not taken any competition into consideration. He reiterated his focus is to improve as a bowler while revealing specifics of his training sessions.
In conclusion, he has hailed Team India Physio Patrick Farhart including trainer Shankar Basu.
The Virat Kohli-led side has to prove their mettle in the United Kingdom following the culmination of the twelfth edition of the IPL which will commence from March 23.
Meanwhile, India will kick-off their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton.