Rashid Khan Shares Journey to Rediscovering Bowling Rhythm
Rashid Khan has opened up about the adjustments—both technical and mental—that helped him regain his bowling flow after facing difficulties post-surgery.
The spinner for Gujarat Titans acknowledged that he had been overthinking his approach to bowling after his injury. He found himself focusing more on the mechanics rather than relying on his natural abilities.
“I was trying too many things, worrying about my action and where the ball landed,” Rashid explained during a talk on JioStar. “I realized my true strength has always been my line and length. I had strayed from that a bit, and returning to it made a real difference.”
Rashid pointed out that even a small change in his bowling length had a significant impact. He noticed he was often delivering the ball closer to six meters instead of his usual five-and-a-half meters—a minor tweak that made a big difference in his effectiveness.
By simplifying his technique and focusing on being consistent, the leg-spinner has started to show signs of his former brilliance, particularly on pitches that favor disciplined bowling.
Key Contributions in Recent Match
This improvement became clear in the Gujarat Titans’ recent match against Delhi Capitals, where Rashid played a crucial role. He took 3 wickets for just 17 runs, disrupting Delhi’s chase at key moments.
He claimed the wicket of Nitish Rana early in his spell, followed by the in-form Sameer Rizvi and Delhi captain Axar Patel. Rashid’s timely breakthroughs shifted the game back in favor of Gujarat at a moment when it seemed the tide was turning against them.
Despite a late effort from David Miller, Gujarat Titans managed to secure a nail-biting victory, marking their first win of the season.
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen praised Rashid’s performance, highlighting that he looked closer to his best, even though the team still has areas to improve.
“It’s great to see him returning to form,” Pietersen noted on JioStar, while emphasizing that the overall bowling unit didn’t entirely come together that night.
Overcoming Injury and Building Back
Rashid’s path back to form hasn’t been easy. After dealing with a chronic lower-back injury, he underwent surgery in late 2023 and has had to manage his workload carefully since then. Unfortunately, a busy schedule and recurring pain challenged his performance through 2024 and 2025.
While he displayed moments of brilliance—such as a notable Test performance against Zimbabwe—finding consistent form proved difficult. His recent match, however, stands out as a positive step in his return.
As Rashid builds his confidence and refocuses on the basics, his resurgence could be vital for Gujarat Titans as the IPL season unfolds.
