‘Don’t want to be Mitchell Starc’ – Avesh Khan shuts down comparisons with Aussie great after heroics vs RR

Indian cricketer Avesh Khan emphatic statement after comparisons with Mitchell Starc post his final over heroics with the ball against RR on Saturday

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Avesh Khan shuts down comparisons with Mitchell Starc

Avesh Khan shuts down comparisons with Mitchell Starc (Photograph: X)

Indian pacer Avesh Khan did the star turn with the ball for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Saturday night. The 28-year-old gave away just six runs to help his side beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter by two runs. RR needed nine runs to win in the final over of the game but Avesh Khan’s brilliant death bowling ensured LSG pulled win from the jaws of a loss in Jaipur. 

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For the second game in a row, RR lost from a position of strength. In the last game, it was Mitchell Starc who dented RR’s hopes of a win with amazing bowling in the death. At the end of game, Avesh Khan was asked by the host broadcaster’s if he took inspiration from the Aussie great. 

The 28-year-old Indian seamer replied, “I don't want to become Mitchell Starc, I want to become a good Avesh Khan. I always try to back every single delivery I bowl and execute yorkers which are my strength. I always think it's better to take 10 extra seconds to bowl; it will help me execute better." 

Avesh Khan reveals his thought of David Miller dropping key catch

During the course of his chat with the broadcasters at the end of the game, Avesh also said, “I never bowl looking at the scoreboard. I just focus on my execution. When it became clear that I have to defend nine runs, I knew that if they don't get a boundary in the first three balls, the game will swing our way and the batters will come under pressure.” 

One of thew biggest moments occurred in the penultimate ball of the final over of the game. Shubham Dubey went for a huge shot and saw David Miller come running to take the catch. Much to the shock of Avesh and rest of LSG teammates, the South African star dropped the catch as the batters completed two runs. With four needed of the last ball, LSG pacer gave just one run to help his side win the game.

When asked about the dropped chance, Avesh said, “As soon as it went up in the air and I saw that Miller is the catcher I thought, 'of course he is going to catch this'. But then when he dropped I was thinking, oh no I have to defend four runs now. At that point there was some doubt because the ball can go off an edge and go for four. It is easier to save a six at this ground than a four. I then told myself, 'Avesh, you just have to bowl a yorker on middle and leg, nothing else."

Mitchell Starc Avesh Khan