Ashish Nehra
Ashish Nehra (Credits: Twitter)

If the cricketing world is missing AB de Villiers, then they should move on quickly. Former India fast-bowler, Ashish Nehra has found out the new AB de Villiers, and he is none other than Afghanistan and Sunrisers Hyderabad star, Rashid Khan.

The 19-year old left the cricketing world shell-shocked with his stunning batting prowess against Kolkata Knight Riders in the second Qualifier.

When Rashid walked in to bat, his team was reeling on 124 for five in 16.5 overs. Even the 150-run mark was looking like a distant dream at that time. But what followed after that left the jam-packed Eden Gardens shell-shocked.

Rashid faced just ten balls to blow away the Knight Riders’ bowlers with a sizzling batting display. The leg-spinner Rashid started his innings with a four that flew over the wicketkeeper. It was a typical tail-ender shot but was absolutely not the precursor of the things that were to follow.

In the next nine balls, he hit one four and four brilliantly timed-sixes to fire the Sunrisers to 174 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. The leg-spinner struck 34 off just ten deliveries.

IPL 2018: Ashish Nehra Finds Out New AB de Villiers
Credits: BCCI

He was not done yet, as he made even a bigger impact in the second innings, as he single-handedly eliminated the Knight Riders.

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He picked up three wickets, effected a match-turning run-out and took the catch to take his team home.

“It was much needed for me, just tried my best to give 100% in bowling, batting and fielding. Full focus was to believe in my skills. Much happy with the batting today which was needed at the end. Started my career as a batsman, and I have the belief. Just try my best to look into the length and play according to the length. Focus was to play straight, that’s what the coaches said. So where the slower ball or anything, played straight and got runs,” he had said in the post-match presentation.

IPL 2018: Ashish Nehra Finds Out New AB de Villiers
Credits: BCCI

After the end of all the ceremony, Nehra, in conversation with Rashid and Shikhar Dhawan, recollected the de Villiers-style shot where the 19-year-old had kneeled down to reach out and slice the ball over covers for a six.

Impressed with the shot, Nehra said:

“Everyone is asking who will be the next ABD of South Africa, and I don’t know who it will be. Bit for World Cricket and Afghanistan it will be Rashid Khan.”

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