Another disappointing day for Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan in the IPL.
Is this really the Rashid Khan we know? His performance in this IPL season has left many puzzled. From the very start of the tournament, Rashid seems to be struggling to find his rhythm. Continuing this pattern, he has now set an unwanted record in the Indian franchise league.
In the latest group stage match on Sunday against Chennai Super Kings, Rashid couldn’t make much impact. Playing for Gujarat Titans, he took just one wicket but gave away 42 runs in his four overs.
The unexpected record came due to the number of sixes he conceded. On that day, Chennai batsmen Devon Conway (two sixes) and Bewald Brevis (one six) hit him for three sixes. This takes the total sixes conceded by Rashid this IPL to 31.
No other bowler has conceded more sixes than Rashid in a single IPL season. The previous record was held by pacer Mohammed Siraj, who also conceded 31 sixes in 2022 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Siraj is now Rashid’s teammate at Gujarat Titans.
Currently at the top of the points table, Gujarat Titans will play at least two playoff matches. Rashid, who has played every match in the group stage, is expected to continue in the team. So it’s highly likely that this unwanted sixes conceded record will become Rashid’s alone.
Sharing second place on this list are leg-spinners Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka and Yuzvendra Chahal of India. Hasaranga gave away 30 sixes in 2022 playing for Bangalore, and Chahal conceded the same number in 2024 for Rajasthan Royals.
West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo stands third with 29 sixes conceded while playing for Chennai in 2018.
This IPL season, Rashid is far from his usual self. Apart from a couple of matches, he hasn’t really had much success. In 14 matches so far, he has taken only 9 wickets, conceding runs at an average of 9.47 per over.
Such bowling figures are surprising for a star like Rashid. Yet, he remains an essential part of the team. Perhaps he will shine in the playoffs. After all, champions don’t give up easily!
