A lucky break for Javed, breakdown for Delhi in opener
MUMBAI: Delhi had slumped to a surprise defeat against Kerala in a Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 game at the Wankhede on Tuesday. Amid an otherwise below-par performance by Delhi, debutant Javed Khan had showed glimpses of his fast bowling talent.
The Delhi batsmen could only muster 136 for nine in response to Kerala’s 150 for six, losing by 14 runs. During Kerala’s innings, however, the tall pacer was the only bowler who managed to keep his economy rate below six while chipping in with two wickets as well, including that of opposition captain, Sachin Baby.
It was in around this time last year that Javed, a littleknown pacer from Gajraula in Uttar Pradesh, grabbed an opportunity to bowl at India’s international stars in the nets. Bowling during one of the practice sessions before the last Test between India and Australia at Ferozeshah Kotla, he impressed Sachin Tendulkar. Such was his fortune that he was immediately signed up by Mumbai Indians for the 2013 Indian Premier League.
LUCKY BREAK
A year since, the imposing 21-year-old has played for the Delhi under-25 squad. While the senior team debut eluded him, he was not picked up by any IPL franchise in the latest auction either. However, with the bulk of Delhi’s senior players away on IPL duty, luck again shone on the Delhi lad in the form of a senior team debut.
“The IPL came as a huge experience for me. To have the opportunity to share the dressing room with my idols was a surreal experience,” Javed said. “I have had a good season so far. Both with the under-25 side and also during the corporate T20 tournament,” he said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity and hope to perform at my optimum.”
Javed, who only started playing cricket at the age of 18, has since steadily risen in the Delhi cricket circuit. His breakthrough moment came against Andhra in the last season, where he scalped six wickets in an U-25 game.