In the press conferenced conducted at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday after the incredible low-scoring victory by SRH, Rashid Khan spilled beans on his preparations. The number one ranked T20I bowler bowled an unbelievable spell against Mumbai Indians as he conceded only 11 runs from his four overs with two wickets and one maiden over.
The Afghan leg-spinner is the hottest property in the T20 cricket world after his performances around the globe have been exceptional. This IPL he was bought by his team Sunrisers Hyderabad using the RTM (Right to Match) card. 19-year old had a major role in SRH’s bowling plans.
After a decent start to the IPL 2018 season, Rashid suffered heavily at the hands of Chris Gayle who smacked him for four consecutive sixes. Here he recorded the bowling figures of 1/55, worst in the career. Next match, Raina and Rayudu treated him in a similar way and he went for 1/49.
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When Rashid was asked yesterday regarding how did he manage to make a comeback from these assaults, he gave an insightful answer “Jab tak aapko maar nahi padi hai, tab tak aap sikhte nahi sakate” (You don’t learn till you get hit).
Also dwelling on the length that he bowled, Rashid said,”I bowled a little bit fuller in the last two games which didn’t help me and I was punished”. He further added, “The only thing today was to bowl in a good-length area as much as possible and that’s what helped me bowl with good figures. The only thing was line and length, that’s what I have worked on and it’s a positive.”
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In the end overs, Rashid had to bowl against Hardik Pandya, the only batsman who could have won Mumbai the match from that stage. Detailing the over, Rashid said, “I bowled to him in the last over (14th) as well and I knew where to bowl. The only thing was not to bowl too full to him. He’s a very strong hitter and he can clear any boundary.”
“The only thing was to bowl a little bit back [of a length] to him and not give him too much room or too full that he could hit it easily. I just did the basics right and believed in myself and my deliveries. I just backed myself and that’s why I got a maiden over.”
SRH play their next match against Kings XI Punjab on 27th April at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
