Bengaluru: Avesh Khan, the fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh, expressed regret over his helmet-throwing incident during an IPL match between Lucknow Supergiant's and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru. In an interview with the Indian Express, Khan admitted that his emotions got the better of him in the heat of the moment, leading to the incident.

He acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate and expressed remorse for his behavior, particularly as it gained significant attention and criticism on social media.

Looking ahead, Khan is hopeful of making a comeback to the Indian team as the West Indies series approaches. His last appearance for India was in October 2022 against South Africa. While he was not included in the T20 World Cup squad in Australia, Khan performed well in domestic cricket, particularly in test matches, where he claimed 38 wickets in eight matches for Madhya Pradesh. However, his IPL campaign did not meet his personal expectations. Despite this, Khan highlighted his contribution to the team, bowling crucial overs in the powerplay and at the death, and maintaining an economy rate of less than 10 in a season characterized by high-scoring matches.

Khan received praise from his Lucknow team coach, Andy Flower, for his dedication and selflessness in prioritizing the team's success. Flower commended Khan's commitment, even playing through injuries, as he had stitches in his hand during some IPL games. Khan emphasized the challenges faced by fast bowlers, particularly the mental toll of transitioning from international cricket to domestic cricket. He spoke about the demanding schedule, physical strain, and limited rest days associated with playing domestic matches.

In his pursuit of an India comeback, Khan has sought guidance from various experts. Subroto Banerjee, a current selector, advised him to focus on keeping his wrist straight, while Paras Mhambrey, the Indian team's bowling coach, provided insights on utilizing the non-bowling arm effectively. Additionally, Gautam Gambhir, the Lucknow team mentor, encouraged Khan to bowl at maximum pace, even if it meant conceding runs. Khan has diligently analyzed his bowling videos to identify areas for improvement and work on rectifying his shortcomings, Khan said during the interview.

When asked about his chances of being selected for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, Khan remained hopeful but acknowledged that the selection process was beyond his control. He expressed determination to make a comeback and emphasized his commitment to achieving that goal.

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Shivamogga: Residents of Sulebailu in Urugadur, on the outskirts of Shivamogga city, staged a candlelight protest on Wednesday night condemning the murder of student Sanket, which occurred three days ago.

Villagers cutting across caste and religious lines gathered on the streets holding placards with Sanket’s photograph and lit candles as a mark of tribute. They raised slogans condemning the killing and appealed for peace in the area.

Locals alleged that the root cause of Sanket's murder was rampant drug trafficking and illegal liquor shops in the area. The villagers demanded that such anti-social elements preying on innocent youth be stopped.

During the protest, locals again alleged that rampant drug trafficking and illegal liquor sales in the locality were among the reasons behind the incident. They demanded strict action against those involved and called upon authorities to curb the illegal sale of ganja and alcohol, which they claimed was misleading youth and school students in the region.

The protesters later met Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kariappa and submitted a memorandum urging immediate measures to control illegal activities.

Sanket (16), an SSLC student of Government High School at Uragadur, was allegedly assaulted outside his school by a group of boys when he intervened in an argument over their cricket match. He was rushed to a hospital but declared dead. Seven minors have reportedly been taken into custody in connection with the incident.