MUMBAI: Rashid Khan says Gujarat Titans are still well placed to turn their IPL-2026 campaign around, despite suffering defeats in their opening two matches. The Afghanistan T20I skipper also admitted that his participation in the one-off Test against India in June is uncertain, citing concerns related to his back.
Rashid, who captained Gujarat Titans in their most recent outing against Rajasthan Royals at Ahmedabad with regular skipper Shubman Gill unavailable due to back spasms, believes the side is close to finding the right rhythm. He suggested that while results have not gone their way yet, the performances have offered a clear pathway to recovery.
“Gill didn’t want to take a chance. We still have a long run in this tournament. We’ve lost two very tight matches — one when we were defending 163 and another when we were chasing 211. In both cases, we were in the contest, but we couldn’t close it out properly. There are still 12 games left, so we’ll learn from these situations and come back stronger,” Rashid said.
Call on India Test depends on how his back reacts
The 27-year-old leg-spinner, who underwent back surgery in November 2023, said he will decide on the Test against India in New Chandigarh (June 6–10) depending on how his body responds during the build-up. He noted that after the operation he was advised against playing Test cricket for a long stretch due to the physical demands of the format.
“After the surgery, I wasn’t cleared to play Test cricket for two or three years. The doctor told me that if I want a longer career, that’s the format I should avoid because of the workload,” Rashid explained.
He added that his previous Test workload underlined the risk. “In my last Test, I bowled 55 overs. For someone returning from back surgery, that’s a big risk. So we’ll consider the Test match, but I’m definitely looking forward to the ODIs against India — it should be an exciting series for us,” he said.
Rashid last appeared in a Test in January 2025 versus Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. In that match, he produced figures of 4/94 and 7/66 as his side won by 72 runs.
Form dip not linked to injury
Once viewed as one of the most feared bowlers in the IPL, particularly during his spell with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rashid has seen returns drop in recent seasons. In IPL-2025, he finished with nine wickets from 15 matches at an average of 57.11, while his economy rate stood at 9.34. So far in the current season, he has taken two wickets across two games.
Despite the numbers, Rashid believes the decline is not primarily tied to his injury. “Honestly, it’s not about the injury. Last year, I was just missing my length and line, and that’s what kept me from performing at the level I’ve managed over the last six or seven years. In the last two matches, I feel like I’ve hit 90 to 95% of the areas I wanted to, and that’s a positive sign,” he said.
Flatter tracks and higher totals changing IPL bowling
Rashid also pointed to how conditions in the league have shifted. With flatter surfaces and rising scoring rates, bowlers are facing a tougher task than in previous years. He highlighted how targets have escalated and how that changes what is required from every over.
“Two or three years ago, nobody thought teams would regularly score 300. Now people are talking about it. If teams are scoring 230 to 240 often, you can’t expect to bowl four overs for 10 runs and take two wickets. Earlier, 180 to 190 was considered a good total. Now, even defending 220 is difficult. The pitches are flatter, and spinners don’t always get the same support, but for me it’s about improving myself,” Rashid said.
