Rashid Khan, once a match-winner in the IPL, has struggled in the 2024 season. Known for his tight length and clever variations, he has only taken one wicket in four matches so far, giving away runs at an economy rate of 10.21. This is a big dip for a player who was always Gujarat Titans’ key bowler.
For the second time in his IPL career, Rashid Khan has gone wicketless in three games in a row, both these slumps happening within his last eight appearances. Since his return from a lower back surgery, Rashid has not looked the same. In IPL 2024, he managed only 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.40, showing signs of inconsistency and lack of control, which is rare for someone of his quality.
Possible Reasons Behind the Decline
One major factor behind Rashid’s dip could be his back surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson pointed out that Rashid hasn’t been his usual self and seems to be struggling with his lengths, often bowling too short or too full. According to Watson, Rashid is probably still adjusting after his injury and needs time to return to his best.
Despite his struggles, Watson believes Rashid’s class will eventually shine through. The Afghan star was out of action for about four months and even though he’s been playing regularly since then, he might not be fully fit. Sources say Gujarat Titans’ medical team hasn’t found any issue, but the constant travel and back-to-back tournaments could be affecting his performance.
Managing Fitness and Expectations
Rashid has played non-stop cricket since his return—from the IPL to T20 leagues like MLC in the USA , SA20 and Afghanistan’s domestic tournaments. All this travel and workload could be taking a toll on his body. Ramji Srinivasan, former strength and conditioning coach of India, stressed the importance of proper rehab after back ssurgery
He said recovery timelines can vary widely and depend on many things like the intensity of the surgery, rehab quality, fitness, and even mindset. He also emphasized the need for proper workload management involving everyone from coaches to physios. Former Afghanistan coach Raees Ahmadzai feels Rashid is just going through a rough patch, something even legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced. He believes Rashid will analyze his performances and bounce back soon.
