IPL 2022: Every player has a dream of playing under MS Dhoni, but Gujarat Titans is my dream team for now – Rashid Khan

 

Talisman spinner Rashid Khan has opined that every player has a dream of playing under MS Dhoni but currently the Gujarat Titans i his dream team. Gujarat Titans had roped in Rashid Khan for a whopping amount of INR 15 crores from the draft list before the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Rashid is one of the best spinners in the IPL and had done a fine job while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The leg-spinner from Afghanistan has scalped 93 wickets in 76 IPL matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.33. Thus, the lynchpin will look to replicate the same success while playing for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is the second most successful captain in the IPL history as he had led CSK to four titles. Dhoni is known to get the best out of his players and every young player wants to play under his captaincy.

“I have come to Gujarat now, so this is my dream team and I will try to give my best performance here. I am playing for Gujarat and it’s a huge honour for me being in this team. Playing under Hardik Pandya will be a different experience. He will be leading the team for the first time, so I am really looking forward to that,” Rashid Khan told reporters in a virtual press conference from his quarantine room.

“Every player has a dream of playing under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. But like I said, I am in Gujarat and it’s a huge honour for me to be playing for the Gujarat Titans,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan has also led Afghanistan in the past and he added that he would like to provide inputs to Hardik Pandya, who will be leading in the IPL for the first time.

“I have played all around the world with different captains, have captained myself as well for Afghanistan. The kind of experience and things I have in my mind, will definitely be sharing with him. I am really looking forward to having those discussions with him, seeing him, [learning] his mindset and thinking as well,” Rashid said.

On the other hand, Rashid added he doesn’t pay much heed to the conditions and tries to back his skills to get the best out of himself in any kind of playing conditions.

“I’ve played more in Dubai, for Afghanistan and two seasons of the IPL were also held there. As a spinner, I don’t keep conditions in mind. Mumbai offers bounce and turn, which spinners need. But for me, I don’t think about conditions much. The more important things are your preparation, mindset and confidence level – and these are what I focus on,” he remarked.

Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 28th March.