Rashid Khan will spearhead Sunrisers Hyderabad spin-bowling department but the Afghanistan leg-spinner has worked hard on his batting skills and is confident of delivering with the bat for his team when the need arises.
Rashid Khan, speaking exclusively to India Today Sports Consulting Editor Boria Majumdar on Sports Today, said that he is improving on his batting skills and in the future, he desires to be a proper all-rounder.
Rashid who started his career as a batsman later worked on his bowling to become one of the top spinners in the white-ball format now. His batting gives him an added advantage in the middle order and he can be a handy batsman at eight in both the T20 and ODI format.
“I have always believed that I can deliver with the bat for my team. I have the skills and the talent. When you play at the lower division, you get used to playing at a pace of 120-130. I was ready in my first two years when I had to face pacers of 140-plus. I was trying to be someone who delivered well in the team in the batting department,” Rashid Khan said.
Rashid Khan has been a match-winner for whichever team he has been part of and we might see him become a good all-rounder in the near future.
“Then, when I had that game against KKR in Kolkata where I scored 34 off 10 balls, that innings gave me belief in my batting. It gave me a lot of confidence and hope that I can deliver for the team. If I come in to bat lower down the order and deliver 20-25 runs for the team, it will help the team and change the momentum,” Rashid added.
“I got confidence from the coaching staff, the captain, and the players as well. They have been telling me I am capable of hitting those 20-25 runs. As a player, when you get the confidence, it really helps. I have been working hard on my batting skills. Still a lot of work to be done but that is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction to come in and hit 20-25 runs.
“Last year, in the UAE, I got some opportunities to deliver with the bat but I was not able to. I am still disappointed about that. This year, whenever I get the opportunity, I will try my best to deliver for the team. I have the skills but I have to deliver in the middle,” Rashid further said.
SRH will open their IPL 2021 campaign against 2-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
