Batting arm hurt in train crash, MP cricketer bowls a ‘doosra’ to India A

BHOPAL: He was an accomplished batter in local cricket before an accident on a moving train, due to a split-second of carelessness, gave him an injury on his batting hand, altering the course of his cricketing career.

After recovering from the accident, 27-year-old Arshad Khan from Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district turned to bowling left-arm pace, to go with his batting ability, reshaping his journey in the sport.

Arshad’s steady rise, since, through the domestic grind, combined with a series of eye-catching performances in the IPL, has now been rewarded with a maiden India A call‑up for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka.

A promising opening batter till Under-16 age-group cricket, Arshad’s road to cricketing rediscovery through pace bowling was as unexpected as it was dramatic.

In a freak accident on his way to attend state selection trials, a glass window on the speeding train fell on his right hand. With the injury hurting his hopes at the batting trials, he stepped up for the bowling trials.

That decision — born of circumstance rather than design — proved decisive.

Coaches at the trials quickly noticed Arshad’s natural attributes with the ball. Standing tall with a smooth left-arm action and an ability to extract bounce and movement, the Seoni lad impressed the scouts with his raw pace and temperament, which they reckoned were suited for higher levels of the game.

What followed was a steady climb through MP’s age-group cricket, MPL (the state T20 league where he leads Bhopal Leopards) and senior ranks, where he honed his skills under the guidance of state coaches and senior pros. Under his captaincy, the Leopards claimed the 2025 MPL title.

He is excited to be named in the India A squad and is determined to give his best, said Arshad’s elder brother, Mohd. Zakariya Khan, chuffed to bits over his maiden List A call-up.

Son of a retired govt school teacher, Arshad’s performances in domestic cricket drew eyeballs of national talent scouts for his consistent pace, accuracy and the ability to strike with the new ball.

His deliveries, from a left-arm angle, has frequently troubled right-handed batters, while his ability to hit a disciplined line and length, helps him build pressure and pick up wickets on a consistent basis.

These attributes were pivotal in him earning him a place in the India A squad — seen as a traditional stepping stone to international cricket.

Local cricketing circles in Bhopal and across MP celebrated Arshad’s selection as a triumph of resilience and adaptability. “He turned adversity into an opportunity,” said Zakariya, adding, “Had that freak train accident not happened, we could have lost a fine left-arm quick bowler to a specialist batter.”

After his debut IPL season with the Mumbai Indians, and, thereafter, with the Lucknow Super Giants, he was eventually traded to the Gujarat Titans this season for Rs 1.30 crore.

A native of Gopalganj, a small village in Seoni district, Arshad would often travel to Jabalpur for better cricket facilities during his formative years in the sport. “He used to visit Jabalpur regularly to avail better training facilities there. He met with the accident during one of those visits,” Zakariya recalled.

The India A call-up is set to give him exposure to higher-level coaching and tougher opposition, while helping him perform under pressure as part of a feeder side to the national team.