The world saw the vintage of Rashid Khan In Match 52 of IPL 2026, he delivered a match-winning performance of 4-33 from his four overs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. His exceptional spell in the middle helped Gujarat Titans register a massive 77-run win against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, May 09 and move up to the second position in the points table.
Rashid looked very happy after his brilliant performance against the host team. The spinner's leg-break googly has been successful of late in the season in terms of success. However, the 27-year-old is satisfied with the way he is finding his rhythm, which is helping him bowl the right lines and lengths this season.
Very happy. It was something unusual for me (the last two seasons). This season, it's more about enjoying yourself and constantly hitting the right spots. Happy with it (so far). When I had the surgery it took me only two months to recover. At that time, I made a big mistake (of coming back early),'' he said in the post-match presentation.
Rashid was also given the Player of the Match award for his spell in Jaipur, which kept the RR batsmen on their toes at all times. However, it was not easy for the star cricketer, as he had to work a lot on his fitness. Having played a lot of cricket at the world level over the past few seasons, the Nangarhar-born player knew he was in good shape when he ran in and bowled the first ball.
“Last year, when the IPL was over, I took 2-3 months off and tried to work on my fitness. The rhythm with which I bowl through the crease – that was something I was missing. Had a good hundred contest and then kept going. As soon as I bowled the first ball, I knew there was something for me,” reflected the Afghanistan bowler.
Being a spinner, Rashid knows that pace is as important for him as any other bowler. And it is equally important to read the mind of a batsman when he bowls a particular type of ball. He knows that by sticking to the wicket-to-wicket line he will get a lot of success.
“Pace was something I was trying to mix up. If I leave the stumps, it becomes easier for the batsmen to take a single or hit a four. I wanted to hit the length as well as the line. I made this move in my mind – that if I pitch it in the right area, it will help. The moment it left my hand, I knew,” said the cricketer.
In 11 matches so far this season, Rashid has taken 15 wickets for GT and is also their second most successful bowler Kagiso Rabada. Among spinners, he has the most wickets so far in 2026, and he will look to better the record as the Shubman Gill-led side looks set to reach the playoffs once again.
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