Rashid Khan: “Getting rid of Virat (Kohli), AB (de Villiers) and MS Dhoni was very satisfying”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has admitted that among the 21 wickets he took in the recently concluded edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the most satisfying dismissals were that of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and MS Dhoni.

Rashid, who represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad, played an instrumental role in leading his side to the final, where they fell to the Chennai Super Kings, who are captained by Dhoni.

“Getting rid of Virat (Kohli), AB (de Villiers) and MS Dhoni was very satisfying,” he was quoted as saying by the Times of India. “In fact, I consider them the best wickets of my career so far. They are really good players of spin bowling so getting them out made it memorable for me.”

During the tournament, iconic India batsman Sachin Tendulkar branded Rashid as the “best spinner in the world” in Twenty20 cricket.

When asked about the massive compliment from arguably the best batsman to ever play the game, the 19-year-old said: “When I got into the bus, a friend sent me a screenshot of the tweet and I was shocked to see it. I was thinking for like 1-2 hours before I could eventually reply. I really didn’t know what to write, but finally I replied.

“The whole of Afghanistan seemed to have seen that tweet. Tendulkar is very, very famous there and everyone was surprised that he had such high praise for me. Statements like these motivate young players.”

Next month, Afghanistan will make their Test debut against India in Bangalore, and Rashid admitted that he is looking forward to the historic match.

“It’s a big match for us as playing Tests is a dream for every cricket-playing nation,” he said. “All of us who are selected for that match will consider ourselves lucky. After all, we will be making history. And, it doesn’t get bigger than the fact that we will be playing India in India.”

Meanwhile, when questioned if he is the most famous person in Afghanistan, Rashid said: “As far as I know, after the President of the country, maybe, I am the person who is most popular in Afghanistan.”