Test cricket is the oldest and arguably the truest form of cricket. It is not fast-paced like T20s or ODIs where the bowler goes by the methodology ‘you miss, I hit’. In Test cricket, batsmen play in the defensive mode (though, like Shikhar Dhawan, not all the time). Bowlers have attacking field and runs are plenty as soon as the ball goes past the players in the 30-yard-circle. Setting up batsmen takes overs and bowlers need the patience to take wickets.
During Day 1 of one-off India vs Afghanistan Test, 19-year-old Rashid Khan, who is considered the best T20 spinner by many including legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, had a big task ahead of him. Rashid did not compromise with his bowling speed despite the change of format.
The Afghan leggie suffered at the hands of Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan as he gave runs at an economy rate more than his T20 and ODI statistics. The youngster learnt his lesson the hard way. Bowling googlies constantly does not get you wickets, consistency in line and length is a key aspect.
After bowling 122 deliveries and leaking 108 runs, Rashid got the wicket of India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane. It was not the googly but Rashid’s leg-spin that got the better of Rahane as he was trapped in front of the wicket. As commentator Sanjay Manjrekar put it, it is his leg-spin that’s tough for batsmen to play instead of his googly.
If batsmen did not pay attention, they were often beaten by Rashid’s leg-spin. He got the wicket of Rahane through Decision Review System (DRS). He even got trolled on social media for getting pounded for runs in his debut Test match. Here are a few reactions —
Rashid Khan 18-1-105-0 (RR 5.83)
Kukkani kottinattu kottaru.Congrats @rashidkhan_19 on your maiden test ton
— Vasanth (@VK0424) June 14, 2018
Rashid Khan Bowled First Maiden Over After Conceding 102 Runs In 17 Overs.
Welcome To Test Cricket!!#INDvAFG #INDvsAFG— Akshay Aher (@TheRealAksh) June 14, 2018
Any one who gets chance can learn not only Rashid khan..They overated him when he bowled nd got the wickets of unskilled IPL cricketers.but ths is his perfrmnce .He is badly exposed.He should be thnkful to indian media
— NaCiiR (@nasir22161584) June 14, 2018
Rashid Khan is not a Test Bowler #INDvAFG
— Brandon Lee (@E79800) June 14, 2018
Probably the final spell of the day for Rashid Khan but by the looks of things he’s continued to bowl at those 95 km/hr speeds regularly.#INDvAFG
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) June 14, 2018
Never thought Rashid Khan would be the first centurion for Afghanistan in test cricket! Funny funny game this! #CBhaveyoursay #INDvAFG
— Srihari Raman (@sriharikraman) June 14, 2018
From Indian side Dhawan and Vijay scored century. From Afghanistan side Rashid Khan scored century #INDvAFG
— Vidyadhar Hatpakki (@Vidyadarc) June 14, 2018
Rey #Rashidkhan #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/dJJyf7JSbN
— GaNi (@im_KingKohli) June 14, 2018
Rashid Khan has gone at an ER of 7.28 in the first session. His T20I & ODI ER is 5.93 & 3.96 respectively #INDvAFG
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 14, 2018
On the other hand, there were a few tweets in support of him —
The red SG ball so different from the white Kookaburra, test cricket from T20. As Rashid Khan is discovering. He will come back though because he is a fine bowler. 4-0-34-0
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 14, 2018
Test cricket is tough and Rashid Khan will learn that quickly.. #indvafg
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 14, 2018
Rashid Khan going at a higher ER in this Test than he does in T20s, just shows you the vast difference b/w formats these days. He will take time to adjust to Test cricket but with his ability i am certain he will adapt sooner than later.
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) June 14, 2018
But, Test cricket is a format in which leg-spinners don’t often produce their best performance in the debut innings. Here are a few first bowling spells from successful leg-spinners —
Shane Warne (Australia) — 1 wicket for 150 runs
Anil Kumble (India) — 3 wickets for 170 runs
Danish Kaneria (Pakistan) — 2 wickets for 119 runs
WATCH: @sanjaymanjrekar dissects @rashidkhan_19‘s leg-spin and googly. What is the difference between Rashid’s leg-spin & a googly? Mr. Manjrekar tries to decode the mystery #INDvAFG
Link—-> https://t.co/9fvjj7pNN1 pic.twitter.com/slLFk4rLCe— BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2018
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The leg-spinners mentioned above turned out to be one of the best in the game. Warne is the highest wicket-taker for Australia (708 wickets) and Kumble (619 wickets) is for India. Kaneria too has 260 wickets for Pakistan in 61 Tests.
