Star spinner Rashid Khan, who is aware of the criticism directed at the Gujarat Titans’ middle order, stated that the team has been successful this season by not focusing on flaws but instead relying on players to perform in a variety of circumstances and fast adjusting to changing circumstances.
In their last league game on Thursday, GT defeated Chennai Super Kings by a staggering 89 runs to move up to the top two spots in the standings.
“I think every team has those little bit areas to improve and have some areas very strong. You can’t be a complete 100% perfect team. Doesn’t matter how good a player you will have … throughout the tournament there has been lots of discussion about our middle order and things like that but I feel everyone is stepping up,” he said.
“Everyone is taking the responsibility and I feel like that’s so important. If you keep thinking about those 10% or 15% you are not accurate, it’s going to affect the rest of 70-75 or 80%.
“For us the thing is that we just keep the thing simple. Whoever the opposition is, how are we going to be more impactful whoever gets the opportunity in the middle. Either you bat, bowl or field. So don’t much think about where we weak, where we strong. Think about what is in front of me and how I can do better for the team.”
Rashid praised the bowlers for their steady work this season.
“The wicket didn’t change. I think the bowling attack we have, especially the fast bowling unit we have, we have done a really great job throughout the tournament,” Rashid said.
“And I feel like on this wicket, if you hit the right area consistently with a good pace, there is something for the bowler. While putting score on the board, you just don’t go with the flow, you just see the condition first and then you try to play accordingly.”
Gujarat’s ability to judge circumstances more quickly than the opposition has been their greatest asset, according to the Afghanistan leg-spinner.
“I think that’s the kind of main strength which remains for us throughout the competition, that we adjust ourselves with the condition very quickly as a bowling unit and also as a batting unit. So I feel like we adjusted ourselves with the condition and the wicket quicker than them and I think that’s the reason behind we won again,” he said.
When considering the difficulties of bowling in high-scoring matches, Rashid stated that bowlers in contemporary T20 cricket must think aggressively even when under pressure.
“In this game, when you’re defending 230, you will go for runs. It’s not something like you’re going to be still bowling 18 to 20 dot balls. But I feel like for you as a bowler, one thing remains, how I’m going to make it super hard and tough for him to hit that ball for a boundary,” he added.
In addition, Rashid talked about overcoming challenging times in his career, including as a forgettable 2019 performance in which he conceded more than 100 runs in a first-class innings.
“Well, I think in life you have good days and bad days and you have to know how to manage yourself in bad days as well. And if you keep doing well and don’t have any bad day, I don’t think you’re going to learn a lot,” he added.
The 27-year-old revealed that he routinely examines his pitching maps following games to evaluate his performance and stated that he places more emphasis on consistency and execution than on game outcomes.
“Every game I play, I ask the video analyst to send me the pitching map and I see where I pitched maximum deliveries and what I can do better,” Rashid said.
Additionally, Rashid commended opener Sai Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill for their consistency and clarity at the top of the order.
“Shubman, I think he is getting better and better each and every day. He is adjusting himself with the condition and the grounds very quickly and he reads the game very quickly. I think what is great with Shubman is he knows his game. He knows his innings, how to start, how to accelerate and how to finish it,” he added.
