Leg spin is the trend, leg spin is the future. T20 cricket was considered to be a batsman’s world until slower balls and leg spinners began making an impact. Now, spinners are even bowling in the powerplay overs and creating pressure on the batsmen right away. And Afghanistan’s teen sensation Rashid Khan is undoubtedly one of the best leg-spinners to have graced the world of cricket.
The young chap has reinvented leg spin bowling which has impressed the giants of the game including Aussie legend Shane Warne and South African spinner Imran Tahir. The way he deceives the batsman with his googly, pierces into the gap between the bat and the pad of a right-handed batsman or moves the ball away from the left-handed batsman deserves applause.
Before I go on criticising Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for their decision of not retaining the 19-year-old leggie, let’s take a look at the players they have retained –
David Warner (Rs 12 crore)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs 8.5 crore)
The above retentions are quite justified as Warner led SRH to their maiden title win in 2016. Bhuvneshwar is an integral part of the team as he can bowl well both in the powerplay and death overs. Being an Indian player also adds to the advantage as only four foreign players are allowed in the playing XI. In that manner, he adds to the team’s balance.
Besides retaining Warner and Bhuvneshwar, there were expectations that SRH will retain either Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan or Rashid. Retaining the latter would have been feasible as Rashid will be a lot tougher to retain in the IPL 2018 auction with the help of Right to match (RTM) card.
Rashid is an overseas player all franchises will be eyeing, given the form he is in of late. In IPL 2017 auction, SRH roped him in for Rs 4 crores. It is not just about taking wickets as Rashid can almost block the flow of boundaries with his economical spell. Well, that’s what he has been doing since he started playing cricket.
Here are a few records that will support my claim:
IPL career – 14 matches, 17 wickets, best bowling figures- 3 for 19, Economy rate- 6.05
T20I career – 27 matches, 42 wickets, best bowling figures- 5 for 3, Economy rate- 5.91
T20 career – 82 matches, 120 wickets, best bowling figures- 5 for 3, Economy rate- 5.80
BBL 2017-18- 4 matches, 8 wickets, best bowling figures- 2 for 18, Economy rate- 5.06
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The above statistics as on January 4, 2018, will interest any franchise of the eight who will be looking to make an impact in the IPL 2018 right away. He is tough to pick for overseas players, the leggie has only matured with time. He made his debut for Adelaide Strikers in this season of Big Bash League (BBL) 2017-18 and has already made his mark.
Here are a few videos which will give you an idea of the talent he possesses:
Happy new year 2017 was historical year for me can’t Forget that best spell of 7/18 against West Indies pic.twitter.com/20NG8XiCe9
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 1, 2018
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With IPL 2018 auction to be held in last week of January, Rashid might just become the most expensive overseas player in the history surpassing English all-rounder Ben Stokes.
