Avesh Khan cleared for IPL 2025, boost for Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), pacer Avesh Khan has received clearance from the BCCI to participate in the IPL 2025. The bowler, who had been recovering from a right knee injury, was given the green light following a thorough evaluation by the BCCI's medical team this week, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Avesh has been sidelined since late January, having last represented India in a T20I match in South Africa last November. His knee issue, attributed to his heavy domestic workload, also kept him out of Madhya Pradesh's final league game in the Ranji Trophy.

The pacer recently completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, passing one of his last fitness tests on Monday. Though his exact arrival date in the LSG camp remains uncertain, he is anticipated to be fit for their subsequent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 27.

This is welcome news for LSG, who are eager to rebound following a defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) in their season opener in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The team has been contending with several injuries affecting their key Indian pacers. Mayank Yadav, already nursing a lumbar stress injury, has now encountered a toe injury. Meanwhile, Bengal pacer Akash Deep is gradually regaining fitness after a back injury from India's Test tour of Australia. Furthermore, left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan has been ruled out of the IPL 2025 due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear sustained last December and has been replaced by Shardul Thakur.

In the aftermath of the loss to Delhi Capitals, LSG assistant coach Lance Klusener acknowledged the challenges posed by their diminished bowling reserves.

"Our current situation doesn't afford us much depth with the ball, so we'll have to improvise until our players return," Klusener stated during the post-match media interaction.

Despite the constraints, Klusener remains optimistic, emphasizing the opportunity for younger talents and highlighting Shardul Thakur's performance, with two wickets in his first over.

"As we head to Hyderabad for our next match, we'll need to excel with the bat. It’s a chance for some of our young players to step up. I was particularly pleased with Shardul Thakur's impact in the first over," he added.