'I have a lot of respect for him, but he wasn't much of a wicket-taker,' says SRH's Brian Lara about Rashid.

  • April 25, 2022, 12:45 p.m.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have made a remarkable turnaround in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL). They lost their first two games to stand at the bottom of the table, but since then have won all five of their next six games to steer to the top of the table. Their only concern, however, pertains to the spin attack and, given that the pitches will wear out in the second half of this IPL season, it might be a concern for SRH, who are without Rashid Khan. However, SRH batting coach Brian Lara brushed aside the concern and instead made a massive statement on the Afghanistan spin sensation. 

Rashid was SRH's mainstay bowler during his stay at the franchise until 2021. He picked up 93 wickets for the team in 76 innings at an economy rate of just 6.33 and a strike rate of 19.5. However, Rashid had opted to be part of the mega auction and SRH let go of him, retaining Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, and Umran Malik.

Rashid did not make the mega auction list as he was roped in by the Gujarat Titans as one of their three draft picks for the season and was named their vice-captain. In seven matches for the new franchise, he picked up eight wickets at 6.50 runs per over.

When asked about the spin department by former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on Saturday on Star Sports, Lara hailed Rashid, but opined that teams have managed to defend him rather than go big against him and hence he has not been the same wicket-taking bowler he was once before.

"I have great respect for Rashid Khan, but I believe we have the right combination. "Rashed Khan was someone who opposition teams decided to defend against. He was not much of a wicket-taker," Lara said after SRH's win against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Instead, Lara was proud of the options at SRH's disposal in the spin department, which comprised of Washington Sundat, J Suchith, and Shreyas Gopal.

"Yes, (an economy of) 5.5–6 runs per over is great, but I think when you have a guy like Washington Sundar spinning the ball into the left-handers in the first six overs, he is an asset. Suchith has come in as his replacement due to injury, and he is an asset as well.

"We have gone in with four fast bowlers in every single game so far. Of course, the pitches may change. They may have less grass later on. We have Shreyas Gopal as well, though he hasn't had a game so far. He is also someone who has a hat-trick in the IPL. I still think we have a lot in the reserves to show in the IPL and I am not too worried. All respect to Rashid Khan, if he was a member of this team, I think we might have been 7 out of 7, I don't know, "Lara added.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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