Have missed the feeling of playing for India: Khaleel Ahmed ecstatic after national call-up

After an extended hiatus, Delhi Capitals' fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed is set to don the Indian jersey again, attributing his return to his outstanding performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer, who has captured 14 wickets in 12 matches thus far, has been named as a standby for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

In a recent episode of the DC Podcast, Khaleel shared insights into his journey back to international cricket, highlighting the mental challenges he faced during his time away from 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 reflected. His consistent performance in the IPL bolstered his confidence, making him feel prepared for a call-up. "As the IPL matches progressed, my confidence continued to grow. I realised 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."

Khaleel's last appearance for India was in a T20 match against Bangladesh in Nagpur back in November 2019. Discussing his absence from the international scene, Khaleel conveyed the emotional struggle of watching the national team from the sidelines. "2019 was a long time ago. Every day, at the back of my mind, I missed that feeling of playing for the country," he said. He frequently imagined himself in the matches, thinking about what he would have done differently, which turned every day into a mental battle filled with introspective conversations.

Determined to make a comeback, Khaleel committed himself fully to cricket following the last IPL season, taking only a week's break before participating in all the domestic matches scheduled. "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 explained. For Khaleel, the mental fortitude to persist in his efforts comes from a life dedicated entirely to cricket.

In an IPL season that has proved challenging for bowlers, Khaleel sees a unique opportunity to distinguish himself. "IPL 2024 has been a nightmare for bowlers but this is the best moment for the fast bowlers to come to light," he noted. He emphasized the importance of excelling under pressure, "If a bowler performs in tough situations like these, he will be considered a King, and I want to be that King."

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(With PTI inputs)