‘Extremely happy, this series is everything for me’ - Khaleel Ahmed opens up on international comeback

After having a stunning season with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League 2024, Khaleel Ahmed was named as one of India’s travelling reserves in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. He was later named in India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, in which, the pacer picked up three wickets in three matches at an economy of 6.81. 

The 26-year-old was very happy with his performance, especially after picking two wickets in the third T20I and stated that he got into the rhythm and adjusted to the conditions quickly. Khaleel also talked about being away from the national team for a significant time and mentioned that he missed the dressing room and is now delighted after making a comeback in T20Is after five years.

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“To be very honest, I am extremely happy with my performances because of how I have got the rhythm in my bowling and the way I have adapted to the conditions. I was also able to execute well, so I am quite happy with that. This series is everything for me because when I wasn't a part of this dressing room, I was missing it a lot. So I am delighted to be a part of this dressing room and performing for India, and that happiness is different, I cannot express it,” Khaleel told Sony Sports.

Extremely happy with the way I am able to execute yorkers: Khaleel

Khaleel also opened up about things he learned during the T20 World Cup. The Rajasthan-born pacer was practising with the main squad and during which, he learnt to execute perfect yorkers. He mentioned that there was no stress about playing games, which gave him the freedom to train properly and during which, he worked on his yorkers and cutters.

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“I worked a lot on my bowling when I was in the reserves in the World Cup because there was no stress of playing matches at that time. So I was working a lot on my cutters and yorkers at that time, and I am extremely happy with the way I am able to execute yorkers and the spin and rotation I am getting (on the slower ones),” Khaleel said.