Rashid predicts gripping battle against Kohli

MUMBAI: A skilful leg-spinner in action not only makes for a great sight, in IPL the tribe is mighty effective too. Piyush Chawla provided an example when he applied the brakes on Mumbai Indians’ opening onslaught by removing Rohit Sharma on Saturday, returning an impressive 1/21 in four overs.

If Royal Challengers Bangalore team up Adam Zampa with Yuzvendra Chahal against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, we may have the world’s top three leg-spinners in action. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is the leading spin force for Hyderabad while Zampa and Chahal are the top leg-break bowlers of Australia and India respectively.

Chahal has been RCB’s main spin weapon and Zampa has done well for his IPL teams, starting with a six-wicket haul for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016.

Still, it is Rashid who has captured the imagination of fans with exploits in T20 leagues world over. During CPL last month, he became the youngest (21 years, 335 days) and fastest (213 matches) to scalp 300 wickets in T20 cricket.

The T20 format is a lot about dot balls and Rashid has the best economy rate in IPL—6.55 with 55 wickets in 46 matches at a superb strike rate of 19.85.

In Monday’s game, the highlight will be his battle with RCB captain Virat Kohli. IPL’s top run-scorer has had issues against leg-spinners and will be playing after several months. Rashid and other SRH bowlers promise to test Kohli.

“I will try to bowl my best deliveries to him. It doesn’t matter what the result is as long as I am giving my best. Bowling in the right areas is what matters, so I’m looking forward to it. He (Kohli) will be back after a long break so let’s see how he goes,” said Rashid, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday, during a media interaction.

“I love it when somebody like him (Kohli) is batting against me.”