5 batsmen who can dominate Rashid Khan

Unpredictable, often unplayable and unimaginably talented – these are just some adjectives that can describe Afghanistan’s spinning sensation, Rashid Khan. The 20-year old has been globetrotting and has been a highly sought-after commodity in the myriad T20 leagues that have sprung up in the smallest of cricketing nations. He’s now established himself as an automatic pick for Afghanistan.

Although not a big turner of the ball, Rashid puts batsmen under constant pressure by bowling quickly through the air while maintaining a stump-to-stump line. His most potent weapon is a very accurate googly, which, more often than not, results in a wicket.

This youngster has already played 134 T20 matches but nevertheless maintains a miserly economy rate of 6.07 – such is the impact of Rashid Khan in a T20 side. The Sunrisers Hyderabad have been the fortunate IPL side who have his services and when the leggie comes on to bowl, he can single-handedly decelerate the opposition’s run rate. Having said that, there’s a smattering of batsmen who are capable of dominating Rashid and the sport eagerly waits for a contest between these five cricketers and the leg-spinning prodigy.

Here we bring you five batsmen who can dominate the leg-spinner:

1. Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu is currently auditioning for the no.4 spot in the Indian team and has almost sealed his spot for India’s upcoming ODI ventures. His biggest strength is his patience early on in the innings. Speaking of patience, that’s a key quality in a batsman that would allow him to dominate a bowler like Rashid. The leggie is the kind who wants to go for the jugular directly and choke the scoring rate, which eventually leads to a wicket. But Rayudu is happy to defend, pick singles and make sure that the bowler isn’t under control of the situation.

The 33-year old has also exhibited his ability to play as a cool finisher. He relies on his timing to deposit the ball into the stands. Moreover, Rayudu is always looking to come down the track to the spinners in an effort to negate the spin. Ambati Rayudu dominating Rashid Khan isn’t entirely a speculation – the Hyderabad batsman has done so en route becoming the fourth highest run-getter of the season in the Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning return to the IPL.

2. Andre Russell

If there are any batsmen who have the capacity to smash a cricket ball into pieces, they’d probably come from the Windies, and many would also bet on the beast that is Andre Russell. Here’s another T20 specialist who can not only chip in with 4 overs of pace, but also change the course of the game in a span of an over or two with the bat. But the bit in him that could allow him to get the better of Rashid is his tendency to get to the pitch of the ball.

Unlike Rayudu, Russell, a big man, has a much wider stance. His monstrous sixes often see him lunging forward and going down on one knee, to bludgeon the ball over mid-wicket or even mid-off. As they say, if it’s in his arc, it’s out of the park.

3. Steve Smith

Australia’s Steve Smith, although unorthodox in his technique, is arguably the most complete batsman in world cricket today. He perhaps doesn’t have any specific traits like Russell and Rayudu that would allow him to dominate Rashid Khan, but such is the class this man possesses that there are only a few bowlers whom he cannot take apart. Smith isn’t the classic six-hitter and it’s not his power that would throw Rashid off.

It’s the fact that the Aussie is such a strong player off the back foot that could put the leggie under pressure. The young leg-spinner’s release is extremely quick and he can get the ball to skid off the pitch, with that hint of turn that can be hard to read. Therefore, it’s essential for a batsman to be able to play on the back foot if he wants to get the better of Rashid.

Take nothing away from Smith’s ability to dance down the track either. Overall, we’re looking at someone who can cut the ball through backward point literally from the keeper’s gloves, and who can also take a shimmy down the wicket to cream the ball through the mid-wicket region. Add to it his constant tendency to keep himself busy at the crease with singles and twos, and we have built ourselves a Rashid-neutralizing batsman.

4. Jos Buttler

Englishman Jos Buttler is the quintessential T20 batsman, who has no respite for any bowler, be it pace or spin. He attacks from ball one, and his ABD-esque approach to batting makes for several headaches when it comes to field placements. While Buttler is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball today, it’s perhaps his innovative shots that would hurt the Afghan most.

The 28-year old can hit a given delivery for two completely different shots through two completely different regions – the result on both occasions would probably be the same though. Buttler has made a mark for himself in limited-overs cricket for his aggressive batting, and you can bet he’d maintain the same aggression when up against one of the best leg-spinners in world cricket at the moment.

5. Rishabh Pant

India’s new kid on the block is Rishabh Pant, who’s slowly being phased in to one day replace the great MS Dhoni. His glovework still needs improving, true, but Pant’s forte is his disdainful hitting. The left-hander is the sort of batsman who is always on the lookout to unsettle the bowler, regardless of what format he is playing. The very second delivery he faced in Test match cricket was smashed over mid-wicket for a six; the bowler – Adil Rashid, a highly competent leg-spinner.

He scores the bulk of his runs on the leg side and isn’t afraid to dance down the track either, which is never an advantage for a spinner. Pant has been prolific with the bat in the shortest format, falling a few runs short of the Orange Cap in the 2018 edition of the IPL. We are very likely to see him take on Rashid Khan next year in the IPL, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s the Indian who is tipped to boss the Afghan.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.