Rashid Khan 'not happy' with IPL 2024 exploits

Gujarat Titans' star spinner Rashid Khan has expressed his dissatisfaction with his wickets tally so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League. However, he is happy to play a supporting role that helps his team clinch victories. Rashid has had a lacklustre season compared to last year's performance as he has only taken six wickets in six matches, with an economy rate of 7.96 and an average of 31.83.

The Afghan spinner, who has a reputation of making batters toil hard, struggled to perform his usual magic in the ongoing season. He failed to take any wickets in the opening game against the Mumbai Indians. Although he managed to pick two wickets against the Chennai Super Kings, he gave away 49 runs which was the most by any GT bowler. Since then, the next four games saw him pick wicket each. Rashid has opened up about his struggles and is adamant to fetch more wickets in coming games.

"In the first three games, I struggled a bit coming after the surgery; it wasn't easy to get back to my own rhythm. I am so happy in the last two to three games, I have played how my body allowed me to enjoy my bowling and I am quite happy with that. Wicket wise, I am not happy with that but that is what T20 cricket is all about,” Rashid said as quoted by Rediff.com.

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“Sometimes you need to play a little role, which helps the team to win the game and I am trying my best to play that little role. In any part where I can change the momentum of the game, I try my best. I will do my best to take more wickets in the last eight games," he added.

Rashid heaps praises on Shubman Gill as captain

GT managed to reach the finals of the IPL consecutively under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, and were able to lift the title in their debut season . However, after Hardik returned to his former franchise Mumbai Indians, Shubman Gill was appointed as the new captain. Rashid expressed admiration for Gill's exceptional performance as a captain, as well as the dedication he displays in delivering his best.

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"He has been great since Day 1. It is so good to see him; he is leading from the front. The way he has been delivering with the bat even though he has captaincy on his shoulders. He is someone who tries to do his best as well, doesn't matter what the condition or situation is,” Rashid concluded.