“You’re facing a quality bowler like Bumrah. I think he’s very smart.And if you’re having those pre-planned shots against him, I think that’s where he gets the success. So, that’s a kind of learning for us. We hope that we don’t repeat that in future,” Rashid told the media, as quoted by PTI.
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Rashid Khan, the Afghan skipper, acknowledged Suryakumar’s impact, highlighting his ability to adapt to any condition and play his natural game, which sets him apart.
“I think we started very well with the ball. But in the middle, when Surya came, that’s how he plays. He changed the tempo of the game, and he tries to play his shots. I think that’s something which makes him a unique player. He believes in his skills. It doesn’t matter wherever he plays, whatever the condition is, that’s how much belief he has on his skills,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav‘s blistering knock of 53 runs off just 28 balls proved to be the turning point in India’s innings against Afghanistan.
His ability to change the tempo of the game and play fearless shots, even in a precarious situation, showcased his unique batting style and unwavering belief in his skills.
Rashid Khan’s own performance was commendable, as he picked up three crucial wickets, including those of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.
However, he acknowledged the limited opportunities he has had against India in his nine-year career, having played only three T20Is against them. Rashid emphasized that judging his record based on such a small sample size would be premature, saying, “My own performance? Oh, I think this is my second T20I against India or a third. So, I think this record is good enough for three T20s and more important is how you bowl. I don’t really see the numbers. It’s all about how you’re delivering and what you’re doing for the team. But in the last nine years of my career, if you play three games, I don’t think you can say your record is bad or good. I would still say you have to play more games. And that’s where your records get to know if they are good or bad.”
Rashid also expressed his desire for Afghanistan to play more cricket against top teams, as bilateral series provide valuable exposure and opportunities to assess their performance against the best sides. He believes that such experiences will help his team grow and improve their record against the cricketing giants.
