Pietersen, Dhoni and Kohli are my heroes: Mohammad Nabi

The Afghanistan duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan are making a lot of headlines these days. Both players created history when they became the first players from Afghanistan to be contracted with an IPL offer. While Rashid Khan has already made a thumping impact for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the veteran all-rounder Nabi is yet to get a go in the league. Both players had a light hearted conversation with the ESPNcricinfo recently.

They spoke at length about their journey so far, their experiences in India, expectations from Afghanistan and a whole lot more. Mohammad Nabi was asked to name his childhood heroes of the game. Nabi was quick to cite that he idolizes the English batsman Kevin Pietersen. After Pietersen, if there are two players who he looks up to, then they are MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

“Many heroes, yaar. Kevin Pietersen is my idol, and then MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli,” answered Nabi.

Rashid Khan, the young leggie, has a bit of resemblance to Shahid Afridi when it comes to celebration. Many have cited that Rashid is apparently copying the celebrations of Afridi. However, the youngster begs to differ. He remarked that the two celebrations are very different. Also, he added that he has grown up watching Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi. He has learnt a lot watching the videos of those two legends of the game.

“Actually, it is just my own style [of celebration], you know. He celebrates with two hands and I celebrate with one hand, so it is a little bit different. Yeah, I like him and grew up watching his bowling and that of Anil Kumble. Both were good legspinners and were quick through the air, so I was always watching their videos and learning from them,” said Rashid Khan.

The SRH team camp is renowned for singing their team song in the dressing room after every match they win. Both players were asked if they have picked the song yet. Mohammad Nabi said that it is very difficult to pick the song. Rashid, on the other hand, noted that he just shouts along.

“When we won the match, they were singing [the team song] in the dressing room. But, we didn’t understand, so we were just shouting with them,” conceded Rashid.

Mohammad Nabi also reflected that the team mates at the SRH camp are very good and supportive. He is happy to be in such good company where the atmosphere is very relaxed.

“All team-mates are very good and very supportive. It is like a good family. Starting from the players – the big names like [David] Warner, Yuvraj [Singh], [Shikhar] Dhawan and [Kane] Williamson – and the support staff, everyone is very good and keen to talk to you,” quipped the all-rounder.