Scrutiny has lingered over Gujarat Titans’ batting flow in the middle overs, but Rashid Khan insists the franchise’s success this season has come from staying focused on execution rather than fixating on flaws. The Afghanistan leg-spinner also believes the team’s speed in reading changing match conditions has been a key differentiator, game after game.
Gujarat delivered a statement in their most recent league outing on Thursday, posting an emphatic 89-run victory over Chennai Super Kings. That win propelled them into the top two spots of the points table, underlining a campaign where both pressure and momentum have been handled with intent.
Quick facts
- Rashid Khan addressed questions around Gujarat Titans’ middle order.
- GT won their last league match on Thursday against Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs.
- The victory moved Gujarat into the top two positions in the points table.
- Rashid praised the pace and bowling unit for consistent performance this season.
- He said Gujarat’s major strength is adjusting to conditions faster than opponents.
- He discussed defending totals in high-scoring T20 games and maintaining aggressive plans.
- Rashid reflected on a difficult period in 2019 when he conceded over 100 runs in a first-class innings.
- He said he studies pitching maps after matches to improve execution.
- He lauded Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan for clarity and consistency at the top.
Speaking about how teams can’t be flawless across every department, Rashid said every side has areas to improve while also relying on strong spells from key players. He argued that the conversation around Gujarat’s middle order has been constant, yet believes everyone has been stepping up when the match demands it.
Rashid stressed that sharing responsibility matters most. He warned that dwelling on only a small fraction of performance—whether it is 10% or 15%—can throw off the wider plan across the remaining overs, affecting how a team operates in the majority of the contest.
For Gujarat, his message is to keep decision-making simple. Regardless of the opposition, the focus is on being impactful in whatever role comes next—batting, bowling, or fielding—without overthinking where the perceived weaknesses or strengths lie. Instead, Rashid urged the team to concentrate on what is in front of them and how they can contribute better for the collective.
Bowlers get the credit
Rashid also heaped praise on Gujarat’s bowling group for the consistency it has shown throughout the tournament. He pointed out that the nature of the wicket did not seem to shift dramatically, and suggested that the attack—especially the fast bowling unit—has consistently delivered the right effort across matches.
He added that on a wicket like this, bowlers can find something if they keep hitting the correct areas with proper pace. When setting a target, he said the approach can’t be purely reactive either; batters must first assess the conditions and then play according to what the surface and situation allow.
Beyond the mechanics of bowling, Rashid highlighted Gujarat’s ability to process conditions quicker than their rivals. In his view, that readiness to adjust as both a bowling unit and a batting unit has remained a defining strength across the competition.
He credited that quicker adaptation to the team’s ability to read the wicket and adjust faster than the opponent, framing it as one of the reasons Gujarat were able to secure another win.
Defending big totals
Turning to the challenges of defending in high-scoring games, Rashid said modern T20 cricket requires bowlers to think aggressively even when the pressure is intense. He referenced the reality of defending totals around 230, saying that in that scenario attacking intent is expected rather than a passive mindset.
Rashid noted that bowlers cannot approach the task as if they will simply bowl long spells of dot balls. Instead, the consistent goal remains making it extremely difficult for batters to connect cleanly and hit boundaries, even as the innings accelerates.
He also discussed how he handles difficult phases in his own career, including a forgettable outing in 2019 when he conceded more than 100 runs in a first-class innings. Rashid said life includes both good and bad days, and the key is managing yourself through tough periods.
He further suggested that if a player keeps doing well without ever encountering a rough day, they lose opportunities to learn. In his framing, adversity becomes a necessary part of improvement rather than a detour.
Execution over outcomes
Rashid said he prioritises execution and consistency above match results. To support that focus, he regularly studies his pitching maps after games to understand where he delivered the most balls and what he can improve next.
He revealed that for every match, he asks the video analyst to send over the pitching map, then reviews the areas where his deliveries were concentrated and uses that information to refine his approach.
Finally, Rashid praised Gujarat’s skipper Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan for the clarity and steadiness they provide at the top of the order. He said Gill is improving each day, adjusting quickly to conditions and reading the game sharply.
Rashid added that what stands out about Gill is how clearly he understands his own innings—how to begin, when to accelerate, and how to close out effectively as the innings develops.
