Matthew Hayden Explains why Rashid Khan Struggled in India Test

Former Australia batsman turned commentator, Matthew Hayden has explained the reason behind Afghanistan star Rashid Khan’s failure against India in the historic Test at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Meanwhile, Rashid hogged the limelight during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. He has been in top form in the shortest version of the game. Many expected him to replicate the same in the five-day format, however, he was far from his best.

Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian side hammered Test debutants Afghanistan by an innings and 262-run margin. The visitors managed only 109 and 103 in reply to India’s 474 in the first essay. Rashid, meanwhile, had a start to his Test career as Shikhar Dhawan ripped him apart from the start.

Dhawan became the first India to score a hundred in the morning session of Day 1. Later he credited playing him in the Sunrisers Hyderabad nets as the reason behind his success against him. The wrist-spinner ended up with not-so-impressive figures of 2/154 in 34.5 overs.

Aggression costs Rashid

Hayden, who a commentator in the game feels too much aggression spoiled the party the young spinner. He also feels one need to be conservative with his fielders early in a Test match.

“Rashid I think bowled better as the Test match went on. Having said that, he ended up with (figures of) 2/154. Firstly, he bowled with too attacking fields early, on a first day Test wicket. It was not day four or five, it was first day (pitch). You needed conservative fields. He was really aggressive and paid the price for it,” Hayden told International Business Times, India in an exclusive chat.

Hayden also cited his anxiousness while playing his first Test as the reason behind his failure in the maiden game.

“As the day went on, he started to understand the abilities of bowling his legspinners more than his wrong’uns as well. I think he was a bit anxious like they all were that they have arrived at Test cricket. That overzealous behaviour hasn’t led to a good performance,” he added.

In conclusion, Hayden was optimistic about Afghanistan’s chances in the longer format of the game. He also noted that they had limited opportunities for preparations.

“You can’t judge a book by its front cover. The fact that they have arrived here and have had limited preparation and limited time in the longer version of the game, I have seen some optimistic signs,” he concluded.

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