IPL 2023: My father was in ICU, I was playing for him – Mohsin Khan dedicates last over performance to his father

Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Mohsin Khan has had a tough last year. After impressing one and all with his performances in the IPL 2022, the lanky pacer from Uttar Pradesh had to miss out on a lot of action in the domestic circuit due to an injury.

Khan underwent surgery and he had to wait on the sidelines in the ongoing IPL 2023 as he wasn’t ready in the first half of the tournament. The 24-year-old from Sambhal was handed the final over by Krunal Pandya when Mumbai Indians needed 11 runs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday.

Khan was up against two strong Australians – Tim David and Cameron Green – and the former had taken 19 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Naveen ul Haq and thus the pressure was on the bowler. With playoff hopes on the line, all eyes were on Khan and he delivered as he was able to hold his nerves.

The first couple of deliveries were length balls, aimed at the body and then Khan nailed his yorkers to concede only five runs and played a major role in his team’s five-run victory.

An emotional Khan revealed his father was in ICU for the last 10 days and got discharged on Monday. The left-arm seamer dedicated the performance to his dad and also gave gratitude to the team’s think tank for backing him in the final XI.

Khan returned with figures of 1-26 in the three overs he bowled and dismissed Nehal Wadhera.

He said after the game, “Been a tough time as I was injured, playing after a year. My father got discharged from the ICU yesterday and he was in the hospital for the last 10 days and I did it for him, he would have been watching. I’m grateful to the team and the support staff, Gautam [Gambhir] sir, Vijay [Dahiya] sir for playing me this game even though I did not do well last game.”

Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.