The legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne heaped praises on Rashid Khan who is doing wonders in the ongoing 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He delivered a brilliant all-around performance in this season’s Qualifier 2 game between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on May 25.
Rashid Khan’s all-around display with the bat ( 34 off 10) and ball (3/19) helped SRH to reach the IPL 2018 final after defeating KKR by a margin of 13 runs, where they will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday in Mumbai.
Warne took to his official Twitter handle to praise the leg-spinner from Afghanistan. He wrote, “As a leg-spinner, I love seeing all the different types of leg spinners playing in the #IPL but watching @rashidkhan_19 bowl in these big games makes me proud as he loves this stage & pressure it also gets me excited !”
As a leg spinner I love seeing all the different types of leg spinners playing in the #IPL but watching @rashidkhan_19 bowl in these big games makes me proud as he loves this stage & pressure it also gets me excited ! 👍
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 25, 2018
Soon after the match, Rashid responded to Warne’s tweet. “ Thank you so much Legspin Master @ShaneWarne,” Rashid said.
Thank you so much Legspin Master @ShaneWarne 🙌🏻
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) May 25, 2018
Warne, who represented Australia in 145 Test matches and 194 ODIs, replied once again to Rashid. “Pleasure buddy – was awesome watching your energy & skills! Good luck in the #IPL2018 #final.”
Pleasure buddy – was awesome watching your energy & skills ! Good luck in the #IPL2018 #final https://t.co/BHiv8sstcX
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 26, 2018
It was one of those days when Rashid Khan wreaked complete havoc into the opposition’s dug-out not only with the ball but also with the bat. Coming in, to bat, at no. 8 in the last three overs, Rashid smashed 34 in just 10 deliveries with the help of 2 fours and 4 sixes. While defending the target he picked the crucial wickets of, Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell in three consecutive overs. he finished the game with the figures of 4-0-19-3. He was even named as the ‘Player of the match’.
Besides Warne, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also praised Rashid for his superb show in the IPL. He tweeted, “Always felt @rashidkhan_19 was a good spinner but now I wouldn’t hesitate in saying he is the best spinner in the world in this format. Mind you, he’s got some batting skills as well. Great guy.”
Always felt @rashidkhan_19 was a good spinner but now I wouldn’t hesitate in saying he is the best spinner in the world in this format. Mind you, he’s got some batting skills as well. Great guy.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 25, 2018
So far in IPL 2018, the Afghan leggie has taken 21 wickets in 16 matches and he needs to take 4 more wickets to don the purple cap.
