Khaleel Ahmed sees Windies ODIs as preparation for World Cup 2019

He has impressed the team management so far with his ability to swing the ball at a fair pace and Khaleel Ahmed now looks forward to making an even stronger mark in the five-match ODI series starting against the Windies on October 21.
The 20-year-old left-arm pacer made his international debut in Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month and took four wickets in two matches – against Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

He is set to play his second international series now and looking forward to cementing his place in the Indian team for the 2019 World Cup. Though the Men in Blue have a pretty settled bowling combination with some exceptional pacers but there is always a slot for a left-armer as he adds variety to the attack and that’s where Khaleel gets his opportunity.

“It’s a good preparation for me for the World Cup. I want to take as many wickets as I can in the ODIs leading up to the World Cup. It will also boost my confidence and I will be under less pressure, if I am picked for the World Cup,” Khaleel said on the eve of the first ODI in Guwahati.

Thanking Zaheer Khan for his evolution

Admitting that his stint with Delhi Daredevils and playing under the watchful eyes of former left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan helped him evolve as a bowler, Ahmed said: “I think I am a better bowler with his (Zaheer) advice. We played in different conditions in IPL and he always kept discussing on how to bowl on different surfaces.”

He was impressed by the camaraderie his senior showed after India won the Asia Cup title in Dubai in September. He said after the final that Mahendra Singh Dhoni had advised stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma to let him hold the trophy and Rohit obliged, giving the youngster a special feeling.

Khaleel made his first-class debut in 2017 and has played two first-class and 19 List A games so far, taking 34 wickets.

The Windies, meanwhile, will look to make amends in the ODI series after losing the two-Test series 0-2. The last time they won a bilateral series against India was in 2006 when they won a home series 4-1. The Caribbeans’ last series win in India came way back in 2002 when they won a seven-match series 4-3.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from India vs West Indies series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.