After a lean season, Gujarat Titans’ Rashid Khan eyes course correction
Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan remains optimistic about a team comeback despite two initial IPL losses, acknowledging close finishes. He's uncertain about playing the upcoming Test against India due to back concerns post-surgery, prioritising his long-term career. Rashid believes his bowling form is improving, despite flatter pitches and higher scores in the league.
MUMBAI: Rashid Khan remains confident that Gujarat Titans will bounce back despite losing their first two matches of IPL-2026, even as the Afghanistan T20I captain admitted he is unsure about playing the one-off Test against India in June due to concerns over his back. Rashid, who led Gujarat Titans in their previous game against Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad with regular skipper Shubman Gill sidelined due to back spasms, said the team is not far from turning things around. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW! “Gill didn’t want to take a risk. We still have a long tournament ahead.
We’ve lost a couple of very close games — one while defending 163 and the other chasing 211. We were in the game both times, but didn’t finish well. There are still 12 matches left, and we’ll take the learnings and come back stronger,” Rashid told TOI.
The 27-year-old leg-spinner, who underwent back surgery in November 2023, said he will take a call on the Test against India in New Chandigarh (June 6–10) based on how his body responds. “To be honest, after the surgery, I wasn’t allowed to play Test cricket for two to three years. The doctor told me that if I want a longer career, that’s the one format I should avoid because of the workload,” Rashid said.