(Source X)
Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed has shared insights into his relationship with former India captain MS Dhoni, whom he regards as his ‘guru’.
Dhoni is celebrated as one of the greatest captains in cricket history, holding the distinction of being the only captain to have won all ICC white-ball trophies, including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy.
“It’s not friendship, (he’s) not an elder brother. It’s that of a guru,” Khaleel said on former India opener Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel.
Chopra inquired about Khaleel’s popular Instagram posts, including one featuring him receiving a bouquet from Dhoni.
“We were in New Zealand and were heading towards the practice area from the main ground,” Khaeel said. “During that walk, Mahi bhai’s fans presented him with flowers. I was walking alongside him. And he passed on the bouquet to me and someone clicked the picture. I love this photo.”
Khaleel expresses that bowling the first over for India remains his greatest aspiration, and he still hopes to be the bowler who starts the attack.
“The biggest dream of my life has been open the bowling for India,” Khaleel said. “I have bowled the second over but first over…Zak (Zaheer Khan) bhai also used to bowl the first over. So during Asia Cup (2018), Mahi bhai captained a match against Afghanistan. At the team huddle, he said it’s hot today, “I’ll deliver brief spells and adjust my bowling accordingly,” Khaleel recounted. When Dhoni told him, ‘Khaleel, start from there,’ he quickly moved to the umpire’s position during the huddle to prevent any change of plans. Khaleel remains eager to open the bowling for India, believing the first bowler sets the tone for the game.
Khaleel, who debuted for India in 2018, recently returned to international cricket during the T20I series in Zimbabwe.
Australian great Ricky Ponting has supported the left-arm pacer’s inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Someone like Khaleel Ahmed I think could find himself on the Test tour. I know he’s just been over in Zimbabwe recently and played that (T20I) series over there, but a left-armer would be ideal for them to have in their touring squad,” Ponting told ICC.
Ponting has worked closely with Khaleel during his tenure as head coach of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.
