IPL 2020: SRH’s Rashid Khan focussed on bowling ‘economically’ as per team’s requirement

Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan spinner, sounded pretty confident going into the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). He is expected to play in the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Ahead of the match, the youngster said that he’s focused on building pressure on the opposition batsman.

Rashid plans to keep a healthy economy rate, churning out dot balls. His accuracy in the IPL can be comprehended from the fact that he has an economy of 6.55 in 46 matches. He also has 55 wickets to show for his efforts after making his debut for the Orange Army in the 2017 edition.

My focus is the team’s requirement: Rashid Khan
“My focus is always bowling economically well for the team. When I bowl economically it helps the bowlers on the other end to take wickets. I concentrate on bowling dot balls and putting pressure on the batsman so he can take risks. My focus is the team’s requirement, what helps the team is important to me,” Rashid was quoted as saying in the pre-match press conference.

Ahead of SRH’s first game on Monday, September 21, Rashid mentioned that he has a bag of tricks in his repertoire. He is known to have a googly that turns in sharply and, at times, beat the batsmen for pace.

“I have 4-5 grips. I bowl them according to the wicket based on the reaction of the wicket. Those five grips help me to bowl differently as each one pitches differently. I keep mixing it up. I have those varieties and I need to use them well. I use my fingers and shoulders a lot to generate the pace,” he stated.

Rashid is coming into the IPL with match-practice after the COVID-19 pandemic, having played in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Though his team, Barbados Tridents couldn’t make the semis, Rashid was impressive. However, he reckons that the IPL will be a different ballgame altogether.

“IPL is a different league (compared to CPL), different pressure. Playing against big names like Kohli and others is a big challenge,” Rashid added. In SRH’s spin-department, Rashid will have Mohammad Nabi, his Afghan teammate, for company.