IPL: Rashid Khan’s mystery intact, says Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan’s deliveries are still tough for Indian Premier League (IPL) batsmen to read, says coach Tom Moody

Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody believes the variations of the team’s young Afghanistan spinner, Rashid Khan, is far from being sorted out by batsmen in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rashid Khan has taken wickets at crucial intervals for the Sunrisers Hyderbad in 2017 Indian Premier League.(AFP)

The 18-year-old Rashid Khan, nicknamed ‘Afghanistan’s Afridi’ back home, has repeatedly foxed batsmen in IPL 2017 with his googly, and his Aussie coach is confident that will remain the case till the end of the season.

Tom Moody dismissed suggestions that Rashid’s googly has become predictable, and batsmen have now been able to read it better. “Rashid has been a revelation in the tournament. He has done well and would continue to do. Taking one wicket and giving just 17 runs in a high-scoring match (loss versus Rising Pune Supergiant) was commendable.

“Rashid will be a major threat to the opposition in the remaining matches. He is has been a terrific find for us this season. It is so good to see such a young spinner making an

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impact and it is also wonderful for Afghanistan cricket.”

Rashid has made a big impact, displaying confidence while backing his skill against top batsmen. He has scalped 10 wickets in seven matches.

Afghan fans in stands

Fellow Afghanistan spinner, Mohammed Nabi, made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kings XI Punjab, taking a wicket. “We have a very well balanced team. We pick a team combination according to the conditions and opposition, like Nabi was included against Kings XI Punjab purely because they have a lot of left-handers. We like to make our strategy game-wise.”

A sizeable number of Afghan students based in Chandigarh will cheer the duo when Sunrisers Hyderabad walk into the PCA stadium on Friday.

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Local hero Yuvraj Singh, who will be in the visiting team, did not practice on Thursday. Tom Moody said: “Yuvi has certainly been batting well. He has been hitting the ball well.

Unfortunately, he had to miss a few games due to flu. But I’m sure plenty of runs are in store in the remaining matches.

“We are desperate to win, and so are Kings XI Punjab. We would like to go into the match with a positive mind set and give off our best,” said Moody, who was the Kings XI Punjab coach in the first IPL season.