Khaleel Ahmed credits IPL exposure for success in International cricket

India's young pacer Khaleel Ahmed has credited the exposure provided through the Indian Premier League for his success in international cricket.

Khaleel Ahmed has been impressive ever since he made his debut for the Men in Blue at the Asia Cup in September. And on Tuesday, he once again starred with the ball in the second T20I  to help India thumpWest Indies by 71 runs and clinch the three-match series with a 2-0 lead.

The fast bowler has been brimming with confidence so much lately, that he convinced his skipper to hand him the new ball at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Khaleel pegged the West Indies back with two early wickets, by dismissing both the openers - Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer - to unsettle the West Indies chase after India posted a massive 195/2 thanks to Rohit Sharma's blitzkrieg innings.

And according to India's stand-in captain Rohit Sharma it was the 20-year-old who insisted on bowling with the new ball along with seasoned Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The bowler from Tonk, Rajasthan says he thrives on responsibility and never lets pressure affect his performance.

"I had more responsibility today as I was bowling with the new ball. I enjoy the responsibility a lot. When I was young, I always dreamt of playing for India and now I have achieved that. If I feel pressure now I can't perform to my potential," Khaleel said at the post-match press conference after India's 71-run win.

"My only aim is to do well for India and for that I need to enjoy my game. I am confident of my abilities. If you enjoy your game, hunger to do well, will also increase."

The 20-year-old, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last edition of the Indian Premier League, was behind spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the list. Khaleel credits his instant success to the experience he had gathered while sharing the dressing room with big international stars during the IPL.

"Playing in the IPL gives one a lot of experience when you come into the Indian team. You don't have to make too many changes to your game because you already have shared the dressing room with international players, he said.

"When you come into the Indian team, by then you had already learned professionalism and know how to correct your mistakes. The IPL is of big help.

(PTI inputs)