IPL 2025: Avesh Khan’s Death-Over Brilliance Stuns RR, Earns Praise from Sanjay Manjrekar

April 20, 2025: Former Indian cricketer and expert commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Avesh Khan for his extraordinary performance in the death overs against Rajasthan Royals (RR), calling him the architect of LSG’s thrilling 2-run victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday.

Speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Manjrekar said, “Avesh Khan single-handedly won them the game. He bowled the 18th over for just five runs and then nailed the final over. It was smart captaincy too—Pant trusted current form over reputation. Avesh backed the yorker, the one delivery we old-timers always talk about. No fancy variations—just relentless yorkers. That’s what brought them back into a game they had almost lost.”

Avesh delivered a spectacular final over, defending just nine runs and picking up three crucial wickets—including Shimron Hetmyer—while holding his nerve under immense pressure. His performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award, and has since drawn widespread praise for his clinical execution of yorkers when it mattered most.

The match was not only memorable for Avesh’s heroics but also for the IPL debut of 14-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The young sensation smashed 34 off 20 balls, including two fours and three sixes, helping RR get off to a flying start during the powerplay.

Manjrekar was particularly moved by the youngster’s composure and fearless strokeplay. “Just imagine—parents in their late 30s or early 40s watching this. It was unbelievable. His first two sixes came off good deliveries, and then he showed great maturity against the spinners. He impressed everyone. When he got out, it looked like he might cry—and at his age, that would’ve been completely natural.”

The commentator gave credit to Rajasthan Royals for showing faith in such a young talent. “Full credit to Rajasthan Royals for trusting him, giving him the best possible platform at the top of the order, even with another left-hander alongside. They’ve truly unveiled a new wonder boy,” he added.

Despite the loss, Rajasthan Royals’ decision to back youth earned them applause. Meanwhile, LSG’s win boosted them to fourth place on the IPL 2025 points table with five wins from eight matches. Rajasthan Royals, with just two wins in eight, are currently in eighth position.

As the season progresses, the spotlight is expected to stay on Avesh Khan’s precision death bowling and the meteoric rise of teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi—two players who lit up a memorable clash in Jaipur.