Published: Dec 29, 2023, 04:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 29, 2023, 04:29 PM (IST)
On Friday, December 29, 2023, India faced a humiliating loss against South Africa in the opening Test, following which the team called up right-arm fast bowler Avesh Khan in an attempt to improve their pace attack for the second and final Test in Cape Town.
The three-day contest ended with India losing the first Test here on Thursday by an innings and 32 runs.
Mohammed Shami, who was unable to play in the two Test matches due to a lack of clearance from the BCCI medical panel, was replaced by the right-arm fast bowler.
“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mr Mohd. Shami for the second Test against South Africa to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town,” the board said in a release.
Before the Tests, Avesh, 27, had a part in India’s successful campaign in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, where he grabbed six wickets. Avesh has so far taken 149 wickets in 38 first-class games at a pace of 22.65.
Avesh is presently playing for the India A side in a four-day tour match at Benoni versus South Africa A. He returned 23.3-5-54-5 to aid in bowling out the hosts for 263 in the opening innings.
The Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, bemoaned the lack of encouragement fellow bowlers offered pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during one of the team’s biggest losses in South Africa.
“This was not a 400-run wicket and we gave too many runs. We sprayed the ball all around, but it happens. One can’t depend on one particular bowler (Bumrah), the other three pacers also needed to perform their roles, we could learn from how South Africa bowled,” Rohit told the media after the match.
“Bumrah bowled well and we all know his quality. All he wanted was a bit of support which he didn’t get. That happens. All three tried hard, bending their backs but didn’t happen the way we wanted to.
“But games like these teaches you a lot as to what you want to do as a bowling unit,” Rohit added.
