new delhi, May 22
Rashid Khan’s return to top form has become one of the biggest reasons behind Gujarat Titans’ dominant IPL 2026 campaign, with the Afghanistan spinner once again proving decisive in GT’s crushing win over Chennai Super Kings that sealed a top-two finish.
After enduring two underwhelming IPL seasons by his standards, Rashid has bounced back strongly this year with 19 wickets and improved control in the middle overs. Against CSK in Ahmedabad on Thursday, he picked up 3 for 18 in just two overs as GT defended a massive 229/4 and bowled CSK out for 140.
The performance also lifted Rashid to fourth in the Purple Cap standings and highlighted how effectively he has adapted to the demands of modern T20 cricket despite increasingly aggressive batting approaches.
“In this game, when you’re defending 230, you will go for runs. It’s not something like you’re going to bowl 18 to 20 dot balls,” Rashid said after the match.
“The batter is going after you, but for you as a bowler, one thing is how I’m going to make it super hard and tougher for him to hit that ball for a boundary.”
The Afghan spinner also reflected on how difficult phases in recent seasons helped him regain consistency. Rashid had managed only 10 wickets in IPL 2024 and nine in 2025, far below the standards expected from one of T20 cricket’s greatest bowlers.
“You have good days, bad days, and I feel [the way] you manage yourself on good days, you have to know how to manage yourself on bad days as well,” Rashid said.
“Whenever I had a bad day, I never put that too much in the mind. That gives me so much learning.”
Rashid said he continues to focus heavily on discipline and execution rather than outcomes.
“End of the day, when you go back to a room and you see your pitch map – that matters to me the most,” he said.
GT’s strong season has mirrored Rashid’s revival. Champions in 2022 and runners-up in 2023, they endured a disappointing 2024 before returning strongly this year with both their batting and bowling units firing consistently.
“Winning nine games out of 14 is a great feeling for the team. It is just about keeping things simple,” Rashid said as the Gujarat Titans gear up for the knockout stages of the tournament.
