Rashid Khan has turned into a treasure for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
In the IPL, where players from all around the world come together, Rashid Khan is a superstar. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has, to a large extent, put his country on his cricketing map with his performances in the league, and for his national side.
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But all was not well for the leg-spinner before the IPL. India Today has revealed that Lalchand Rajput, Afghanistan’s head-coach in 2016, offered Khan to two IPL teams before SRH.
Both denied his services.
Rashid Khan was an unknown name back then. However, he still exploited his opponents at the Associate level, which might be the cause of the lack of reliability.
In an interview with India Today, Lalchand Rajput said, “When I began coaching the Afghanistan team, I was introduced to this impressive under-19 spinner Rashid Khan. He was naturally talented. His arm speed was very fast and his bowling style was different.”
When he finally realised the ability of Rashid Khan, he contacted a few IPL teams.
“I called up Virender Sehwag and told him there was a talented leg-spinner and since Kings XI Punjab did not have too many spin options, Rashid could be a good choice for them. Sehwag said KXIP had have Axar Patel,” Rajput said, as quoted by India Today.
“We don’t need spinners, we need all-rounders,” Sehwag told the-then Afghanistan coach.
Lalchand Rajput says that he also contact KKR’s captain in 2016, Gautam Gambhir, who also refused the offer due to presence of Narine and Kuldeep Yadav.
It was only then when Rajput contact Sunrisers Hyderabad. “I told him [VVS Laxman] if he did not want to pick him straightaway, he should at least just keep a watch on Rashid. I told him that I had seen him bowl,” said Rajput.
“Laxman kept following him in our I Cup and other T20 matches and ultimately picked him. He took a chance and the rest is history,” Rajput added.
