Avesh Khan and Venkatesh Iyer to join India’s World Cup squad as net bowlers

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Venkatesh Iyer and Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Avesh Khan have been informed by the BCCI to continue their stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the conclusion of IPL 2021, as they will join as the net bowlers of the Indian cricket team for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Umran Malik was also asked to stay back in the UAE for the same purpose. Both Avesh Khan and Venkatesh Iyer have produced good performances in the 14th season of the IPL.

Avesh Khan is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021. The right arm pacer has scalped 23 wickets in the tournament this year and has picked them up at an average of 18.61.

Venkatesh Iyer has provided blazing starts for the Eoin Morgan-led KKR side with the bat at the top of the order. The left-hander has scored 265 runs in the UAE leg of the tournament and has scored his runs at an average of 37.86. With the ball, Iyer has picked up 3 wickets.

India to play two warm-up matches ahead of 2021 T20 World Cup

The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play two warm-up matches ahead of their first T20 World Cup encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on 24th October 2021. While Virat Kohli and his men will take on England on 18th October 2021, the ‘Men in Blue’ will clash horns with the Australian side on 20th October 2021.

The Indian side emerged as the champions of the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup that took place in 2007. The then MS Dhoni-led outfit beat Pakistan in the summit clash by just 5 runs to clinch the trophy.

In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup that was held in the year 2016, India was knocked out of the tournament in the semifinal stages. The West Indies side beat India with 7 wickets and 2 balls to spare in a high-scoring encounter. The West Indies are currently the defending champions of the tournament.