Rahul Dravid turned my career around : Team India's new pacer Khaleel Ahmed
New Delhi : Khaleel Ahmed is the sole surprise in the 16-member squad announced by India for the upcoming Asia Cup in UAE and the left-arm pacer wants to thank Rahul Dravid for being the perfect guide in his career. Having started off under Dravid’s guidance at the U-19 level, Khaleel now wants to emulate his idol Zaheer Khan and win India games with his bowling performances.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Khaleel said that he almost had a nervous breakdown when he was told that he has been picked for the multi-nation tournament in UAE.
“I am literally shivering right now. I cannot believe that I am part of the Indian team. This is like a dream come true for me. I have been doing well and that has been my focus. Every player wants to represent the country when he starts playing the game and I am no different. But I must thank Dravid sir for being there and turning me around from a nervous starter to a confident bowler,” he said.
Asked about Dravid’s influence in his career, Khaleel said: “I cannot thank him enough. When I started off at the U-19 level, I would be nervous to start with and would often make silly mistakes in the process. But under his guidance, I gained in confidence and I can confidently say that he has had a big role in my growth as a cricketer.
“The best part with Dravid sir is that he gives you that freedom to go out and express yourself. He would tell me that the best way to learn is in the middle and one should never shy away from trying new things. He has had a huge impact on how my career shaped up.”
Picked in the squad for the Asia Cup, Khaleel now wishes to emulate his hero Zaheer Khan. “I grew up idolising him and if you ask me, I wish to bowl like him and win India games. Even if I can get close to his achievements for the country, that will be a big feat for me. But I don’t wish to get carried away and want to make steady progress.”
His U-19 teammate Rishabh Pant has already played for India in both the shorter and longer format and Khaleel too wishes to cement his place in the team. “It feels really good when I see Rishabh playing for the country and hopefully I can also cement my place in the team with consistent performances,” he smiled.
While Khaleel played for India at the U-19 level, his experience in the IPL helped him learn more about performing at the highest level. “I was a bit nervous to start with, but then, I realised that it was all about being confident of your own game. Also, the experience of travelling and preparing along with international stars helped me learn more about how one prepares for big games,” he said.
Virat Kohli has made no bones about the fact that India needs quality left-arm pacers and Khaleel says even though he also liked batting to start with, lack of quality bowlers saw him turn to bowling.
“I also loved to bat as a kid, but then, when I realized that you cannot have 11 batsmen in the team and need bowlers to pick wickets, I turned to bowling. I have been running in hard and looking to pick wickets ever since,” he signed off.
courtesy : hindustantimes.com
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
