Previously, Rashid Khan had taken 3 for 7 against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. Incidentally, he had never taken a 4-wicket haul before in the IPL.
He finally did it against Lucknow Super Giants in the 57th match of IPL 2022 as Gujarat went on to win by 62 runs.
This is what an excited Rashid had to say after the match.
"Those couple of games which did not go well was all about my line and length. That was something I was missing in those games. The pace I bowl and the action I have, I cannot afford to lose my line and length, it was about focusing on hitting the right area. The wicket was helping today with bounce and turn, but overall it was about bowling in the right areas. They (the pacers) have given us a platform where we can come and put the pressure.", Rashid Khan said.
"In a chase like 140-145 you need to have a good powerplay and the seamers gave us that. This is a very crucial part of the competition, it is all about the process whether we win or lose, we should keep the same process. We have to get better day by day and have to keep doing good things. Now the focus should be on playing good cricket and enjoying ourselves. I think Holder's wicket was crucial at that time and I had planned it, to bowl the leggie from a middle stump.", He added.
Making up for the low score
It came on an occasion when Gujarat Titans had managed a below-par total as they scored 144 runs for the loss of 4 wickets from their 20 overs.
However, with the way their bowlers delivered, Lucknow never stood a chance, with only 3 of their batters reaching double figures.
A consistent performer
Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers and took 4 wickets from 3.5 overs while giving away just 24 runs to record his best figures in the history of the IPL. He got support from Yash Dayal and R Sai Kishore, both of whom picked up two wickets.
Rashid has been one of the leading bowlers in the IPL since his debut in 2016. After serving Sunrisers Hyderabad extremely well over the years, he has now gone to Gujarat Titans and has had an instant impact with powerful performances.
