Afghan sensation can’t wait his for IPL debut
New Delhi, March 21: Eighteen-year-old Afghan sensation Rashid Khan can’t wait to start his maiden stint in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he will be sharing the dressing room with his childhood hero Yuvraj Singh.
The last three months has been a “dream” for leg-spinner Rashid, who alongside senior teammate Mohammad Nabi, became the first among equals from the war-torn nation to be bought by an IPL franchise during last month’s auction.
“A lot has happened over the last three months. It has been enjoyable,” said Rashid, who is busy playing the series against Ireland at Afghanistan’s “home ground” in Greater Noida.
Rashid says the feeling that he will be sharing the dressing room with likes of Yuvraj, David Warner, Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan in less than a fortnight is yet to sink in. The IPL begins on April 5.
“IPL is the biggest league in the world, much bigger than playing associate cricket. I have started working harder ever since the IPL auction. It feels unreal that I will be sharing the dressing room with the players, I have grown up watching on television,” he gushes.
What is that one big name he is most excited about meeting?
“I have been a huge Yuvraj fan since childhood. I really like his aggressive style. Hopefully, I will get to spend time with him and get an insight into his cricketing knowledge.
“It will also be very special to be with support staff comprising former players like Tom Moody, V.V.S. Laxman and Muttiah Muralitharan.”