Gujarat Titans’ allrounder Rashid Khan, was seen practicing innovative batting shots like no-look sixes and helicopter shots ahead of his team’s opening match against Mumbai Indians. His craftiness with the ball has flummoxed many top batters, while his explosive batting cameos have entertained crowds. In the IPL 2023, Khan took 27 wickets in 17 matches but conceded runs at a slightly high economy rate of 8.24.
Rashid unleashed his destructive prowess in the nets before Gujarat’s opening match, smashing no-look shots and helicopter shots reminiscent of MS Dhoni. With Hardik Pandya traded and Mohammed Shami injured, Rashid’s role under new captain Shubman Gill will be crucial for Gujarat this season.
After undergoing back surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rashid was sidelined for several months before returning to action earlier this month when Afghanistan faced Ireland in a three-match T20I series.
Rashid picked up eight wickets across the three T20Is at an impressive average of 5.62, displaying brilliant form in his comeback series. He was named player of the series after his strong performance. In the second T20I, Rashid contributed a useful 25 runs with the bat. Though Afghanistan lost the opening T20I to Ireland, they bounced back to clinch the final two matches and win the series 2-1.
Rashid had been sidelined for several months due to a back injury, missing out on the Big Bash League, SA20 tournament, and Afghanistan’s matches against UAE, India, Sri Lanka, as well as the Test and ODIs versus Ireland. He had traveled with the squad to India in January but was not fit to play at that stage.
Rashid’s teammate Ibrahim Zadran had then said: “Rashid is not fully fit, but is traveling with the team. We hope he recovers soon, as we expect him to. He is doing rehab with the doctor and we will miss him in the series.”
Rashid Khan would be back in GT colors as the Titans face Mumbai Indians on Sunday, March 24th in Ahmedabad.
