The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is in full swing, and one name making waves is Avesh Khan, the fiery pacer who has returned to bolster Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at a critical juncture. As LSG take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) tonight, March 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Avesh’s comeback has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike. With LSG desperate to bounce back from an opening loss and SRH riding high on a record-breaking performance, Avesh’s role could be pivotal. Let’s dive into his journey, stats, and the trending narratives surrounding him in IPL 2025.
Avesh Khan’s Return: A Much-Needed Boost for LSG
Avesh Khan’s return to the LSG playing XI for tonight’s match against SRH has been a major talking point. The 28-year-old pacer from Madhya Pradesh had been sidelined since late January 2025 due to a right knee injury, which stemmed from the workload he endured during the domestic season. He missed LSG’s IPL 2025 opener against Delhi Capitals on March 24, where the team suffered a heartbreaking one-wicket loss despite posting 209/8. Avesh underwent rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and after passing a fitness test on March 24, he was cleared by the BCCI medical team to rejoin the squad.
His return was confirmed by LSG captain Rishabh Pant at the toss tonight, where LSG opted to bowl first against SRH. According to News18, Pant replaced Shahbaz Ahmed with Avesh, signaling the team’s intent to strengthen their pace attack against SRH’s formidable batting lineup. This move comes at a crucial time for LSG, whose bowling unit has been plagued by injuries. With Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep still recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and Mohsin Khan ruled out for the season due to an ACL tear, Avesh’s experience and wicket-taking ability are a significant boost.
Fans on X have been buzzing about Avesh’s return, with many expressing optimism about his impact. One user posted, “Avesh Khan is back for LSG! This could be a game-changer against SRH’s big hitters.” Another highlighted his past performances against SRH, noting, “Avesh has a history of troubling SRH—let’s see if he can repeat his 4-wicket haul from 2022!”
Avesh Khan’s IPL Stats: A Proven Wicket-Taker
Avesh Khan has been a consistent performer in the IPL since his debut in 2017. Over his IPL career, he has played 58 matches and taken 67 wickets at an average of 27.37 and an economy rate of 8.62, as per ESPNcricinfo data. His best figures of 4/24 came against SRH in 2022, a match where he played a key role in LSG’s 12-run victory. Avesh’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs makes him a versatile asset, and his knack for picking up crucial wickets has often turned games in his team’s favor.
In his last three IPL seasons (2022-2024), Avesh has been a steady contributor for LSG and later Rajasthan Royals (RR). In 2022, he took 18 wickets in 13 matches for LSG, followed by 8 wickets in 9 matches in 2023. After being traded to RR for the 2024 season, he claimed 11 wickets in 12 games, showcasing his adaptability across different team setups. His overall T20 record is equally impressive, with 121 wickets in 98 matches at an economy of 8.34, according to Sportskeeda.
Avesh’s journey with LSG has seen financial ups and downs. He was initially with the franchise in 2022 and 2023, before being traded to RR in a player-for-player exchange with Devdutt Padikkal. LSG bought him back at the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 9.75 crore, a testament to their faith in his abilities despite his injury concerns. Now back in the fold, Avesh will be eager to justify that price tag and help LSG turn their campaign around.
Trending Narratives: Avesh Khan’s Role in LSG’s Strategy
Avesh Khan’s return has sparked several trending narratives in the IPL 2025 season. First, his comeback is seen as a lifeline for LSG’s injury-ravaged bowling unit. The team started the season without four of their frontline pacers—Avesh, Mayank Yadav, Akash Deep, and Mohsin Khan—forcing them to rely on uncapped bowlers like Prince Yadav and replacement signing Shardul Thakur. While Thakur made an impact with two early wickets against DC, LSG’s bowling faltered in the death overs, allowing DC to chase down 209. Avesh’s experience, particularly in high-pressure situations, is expected to provide much-needed stability.
Second, Avesh’s historical success against SRH has fans hopeful. In their first-ever meeting in 2022, Avesh’s 4/24 was instrumental in LSG’s victory, dismissing key SRH batters like Kane Williamson and Nicholas Pooran. With SRH’s current batting lineup featuring aggressive players like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan—who scored an unbeaten 106 off 47 balls in SRH’s opener against Rajasthan Royals—Avesh’s ability to swing the ball early and execute yorkers in the death overs could be crucial. ESPNcricinfo noted that even with Avesh’s return, LSG’s bowling “still lacks the bite” to contain SRH’s batting, but his presence undoubtedly strengthens their attack.
Third, Avesh’s return has reignited discussions about LSG’s auction strategy. The team opted for an Indian-heavy pace attack at the mega auction, banking on Avesh, Mayank Yadav, and Akash Deep to lead the charge. However, with injuries derailing their plans, some fans on X have questioned whether LSG should have invested in more overseas pacers. One user remarked, “LSG’s pace attack looked toothless without Avesh and Mayank. They should’ve gone for someone like Trent Boult at the auction.” Others, however, see Avesh’s return as a sign that LSG’s faith in their Indian core might pay off.
SRH vs LSG: Avesh Khan’s Big Test
Tonight’s match against SRH is a litmus test for Avesh Khan and LSG. SRH are in red-hot form, having posted 286/6—the second-highest total in IPL history—in their opener against Rajasthan Royals. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set the tone with 107 runs in the powerplay, while Ishan Kishan’s century ensured a mammoth total. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been a batting paradise, with an average first-innings score of 216 in recent IPL matches, and teams batting first winning 5 out of the last 8 games here. Inside Sport India reported that while fans are chanting “Abki baar, 300 paar!” the pitch for tonight’s match might not support such a high score, offering a glimmer of hope for LSG’s bowlers.
Avesh will likely share the new ball with Shardul Thakur, who made an early impact in the game by dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy in quick succession, leaving SRH at 45/2 after 4 overs, as per Inside Sport India’s live updates. Avesh’s challenge will be to contain Travis Head, who has been in explosive form, and prevent SRH’s middle order—featuring Heinrich Klaasen and Aniket Verma—from accelerating. His past success against SRH gives LSG hope, but he’ll need to be at his best on a flat track where bowlers have little margin for error.
Rishabh Pant’s decision to bowl first reflects confidence in LSG’s ability to chase, as he stated at the toss, “We have the batting to chase it down,” according to Cricbuzz. However, Avesh and the bowling unit will need to set a manageable target by taking early wickets and controlling the death overs—areas where LSG struggled against DC.
What’s Next for Avesh Khan?
Avesh Khan’s return is a step in the right direction for LSG, but his long-term impact in IPL 2025 will depend on his consistency and fitness. With Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep still unavailable, Avesh will be the spearhead of LSG’s pace attack alongside Shardul Thakur. His ability to mentor younger bowlers like Digvesh Rathi and Prince Yadav could also be crucial for LSG’s campaign.
Beyond tonight’s match, Avesh will aim to build on his IPL record and cement his place in LSG’s plans. His performances could also reignite discussions about his potential return to the Indian national team, where he last played a T20I against South Africa in November 2024. For now, though, his focus will be on helping LSG secure their first win of the season against a rampant SRH side.
What do you think of Avesh Khan’s return to the IPL 2025 stage? Can he make a difference against SRH’s batting juggernaut? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
