Mahi bhai is not my friend…he is my guru: Khaleel Ahmed

Indian left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed has lauded sung high praise for the former skipper MS Dhoni. He would call the wicket-keeper his “Guru” and would recall his reaction when Dhoni asked him to bowl the first over during the Asia Cup.

“This photo was taken in New Zealand. We were going to the practice ground from the main ground. Mahi bhai was given flowers by his friends. I was walking with him. He passed me the flowers Khaleel would recall about his experience on Akash Chopra’s YouTube channel. Mahi bhai is not my friend, not my elder brother, he is my guru.” he added.

“Since my childhood, I wanted to become the bowler who took the first over from India since I had watched Zaheer Khan growing up. In the Asia Cup, Mahi bhai asked me to bowl the first over. I ran so hard, away from the huddle thinking that if I give it time he might change his mind. I think the most important player of a team gets to bowl the first,” the 26-year-old said.

Khaleel despite having the ability to swing the new ball and perform well has had his fair share of issues time and again which hampered his career.

Former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting who has worked with Khaleel during the Indian Premier League speaking to ICC would say: “Someone like Khaleel Ahmed I think could find himself on the Test tour (Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25). I know he’s just been over in Zimbabwe recently and played that (T20I) series over there, but a left-armer would be ideal for them to have in their touring squad.”

Khaleel is yet to make his red-ball debut but in 12 First Class matches he picked up 25 wickets at an average of 35.

In white ball games, he played in 11 ODI’s for India picking up 15 wickets at an average of 31 and an economy of 5.81. In 18 T20Is he picked up 16 wickets at an average of 35.12 and an economy of 8.51.

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