Rashid Khan’s heroics in the last over might have pinched the Sunrisers Hyderabad where it hurts the most. The Afghan was let go by the 2016 champions ahead of IPL 2022 and he came back to haunt them by smashing 24 runs in a game-changing last over to hand his side – the Gujarat Titans – a five wicket win at the Wankhde Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday. 

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Khan, arguably the best T20 spinner currently, after the match said that he was happy to deliver against the Orange Army. The Afghan had taken his 100th IPL wicket earlier this week but against SRH he came back with no wickets for 45 runs in four overs.

However, he won the game for Gujarat with the bat. The 23-year-old smashed three sixes in the last four balls to complete a steep 196-run chase. Hardik Pandya and co, with the win, now sit at the top of the IPL 2022 points table with 14 points.

Rashid Khan finished with an unbeaten 31 runs off 11 balls with the help of four maximums. He stitched a 59-run partnership with Rahul Tewatia, who made 40 off 21. 

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“Feels good, to go there and have that self-belief and keep my shape stronger and hit it, Happy to deliver against them (SRH), just trying to play my game and have that belief on my batting which I’m working from the last two years,” Khan said after the game.

The Titans needed 22 runs in the last over. Marco Jansen was up with the ball. Tewatia started the over with a six over deep mid-wicket. The equation was down to 16 needed off five balls. 

The all-rounder then took a run to bring Rashid Khan on strike. The Afghan smacked the third ball of the over down the ground for a maximum. He then played a dot ball before finishing the run chase with two consecutive hits. 

Speaking about his gameplan after the match, Khan said he believed that if their best – Lockie Ferguson – had conceded 25 runs in the last over, so the task at hand was manageable. 

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“When it was 22 left. I just told Tewatia that we have given 25 in the last over with one of our best bowler bowling and I told him that we needed to have that belief and not panic, anything is possible. Just stay there, keep your shape and hit it strong and that was the plan (with Tewatia),” he said.

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The leg-spinner further praised skipper Hardik Pandya and bowling coach Ashish Nehra for a beautiful team environment. 

“It has been very calm and cool since day one and it’s a great team to be part of and everyone knows the responsibility and respect each other which is a very good thing. We have been given very positive energy from the captain on and off the field and especially our head coach Ashish bhai has kept the team in a beautiful environment. We are enjoying each other’s company and trying to give our hundred percent. So happy to win and these two points really helps the team in the end and lucky to be in the right side,” he concluded.