Sports: In a dramatic encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants seamer Avesh Khan etched his name into the annals of IPL history with a breathtaking final over against the Rajasthan Royals. Defending a mere nine runs, Khan displayed nerves of steel, dismantling the Rajasthan batting lineup by claiming three crucial wickets and securing a nail-biting 2-run victory for his side.
Lucknow had earlier posted a competitive total of 181, a score that seemed within reach for the Royals as they navigated their chase. However, Avesh Khan’s intervention in the final over proved to be the decisive factor, restricting Rajasthan to 178 and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
The stellar performance rightfully earned Avesh Khan the ‘Player of the Match’ award, a testament to his composure and skill under immense pressure. His heroic final over not only secured two crucial points for LSG but also witnessed a significant surge in his fan base.
Reflecting on his match-winning spell, Khan emphasised his unwavering focus on execution, highlighting his ability to remain calm even amidst the tense atmosphere of a close encounter. He stated, “I try to focus on execution. Because when we watch a match, even if it’s someone else’s match, we get tense. But when I bowl on the field, I never get tensed about whether I will get a six or a four. I always focus on execution. I only back the ball that I am going to bowl. And I always try to bowl a yorker.”
Khan also acknowledged the pivotal contribution of Abdul Samad’s explosive hitting in the preceding overs, which he felt had shifted the momentum in their favour. He mused that had Samad hit only two sixes instead of four, the target could have been significantly lower, potentially altering the final outcome.
Despite the late onslaught from the Rajasthan batsmen, including notable contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and stand-in skipper Riyan Parag, Avesh Khan’s brilliance in the final over ultimately proved insurmountable, handing Lucknow Super Giants a memorable triumph on Rajasthan’s home turf.
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