India is set to play the fifth and final match of the ongoing series with South Africa on Sunday. The Rishabh Pant-led team that won their last match with a huge margin had leveled the series to 2-2.
Avesh Khan praised Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid for putting faith in the team. Avesh said that he had felt the pressure after going wicket-less in the first three games but said head coach Rahul Dravid’s faith in him pushed him to come up with a match-winning performance in the fourth T20I.
Avesh relied on the hard lengths to end up with career-best figures of four for 18.
"The team hasn't changed over four games, so credit to Rahul sir. He gives chances to everybody and intends to give them a long enough run," Avesh said.
"He doesn't drop a player after one or two bad performances because you cannot judge a player on the basis of one or two games. Everyone is getting enough matches to prove themselves.
"Yes, there was pressure on me. I had zero wickets in three games but Rahul sir and the team management gave me another opportunity today and I ended up picking four wickets. It's also my papa's birthday, so it's a gift for him too."
The 25-year-old decided on his game plan to bowl after a chat with opener Ishan Kishan.
"I spoke to Ishan (Kishan) today and he said that hard-length balls aren't easy to play; some are bouncing, some are stopping and the others are keeping low. Then I planned to attack the stumps and bowl the hard lengths consistently. It's in my hands to bowl well, not pick wickets.
India did well to reach 169/6 after a poor start
"Today's wicket wasn't easy for batters, it was two-paced although DK Bhai, Hardik, and Rishabh all played well. 170 was a very good total on this wicket and all we wanted to ensure was pick a couple of wickets in the powerplay," Avesh added.
Asked about his chances to make the T20 World Cup squad, he said: "Selection is not in my control. I just want to give my 100 percent every game I get to play for India. I don't want to have any regrets over the effort I put in my performances."
(Inputs from PTI)
