No One Can Read Rashid Khan, Says Tom Moody

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) head coach, Tom Moody, who has seen Rashid Khan from close quarters, during the latter’s time with Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) leg, feels adapting to different conditions has been key to the leg-spinner’s success.

Meanwhile, once a rookie, Rashid has now become the biggest sporting star of Afghanistan. The bright prospect has been performing constantly in the shorter formats. However, Moody feels he can bamboozle Indian batsmen during the impending One-off Test match at Bengaluru.

“Rashid will welcome the opportunity to bowl in Bengaluru and whether the ball turns or not, he will still create enough headaches for the batsmen over the five days,” Moody told Sportstar.

Afghanistan will play their maiden Test since earning the Test status in June last year against India. The iconic Test will be beginning on June 14 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Australian-born coach also admits that the experience of playing in Bengaluru during the IPL will benefit teenage sensation Rashid.

“It is an advantage that you know about your surroundings. He has bowled in Bengaluru earlier and has bowled plenty of times around the country. Obviously, with Afghanistan based in Delhi (Greater Noida), they are pretty familiar with the conditions there,” he added.

Moody also added that adapting to different conditions has never been a big problem for Rashid.

Moreover, he cited examples from the Big Bash League (BBL) where Rashid was equally successful.

No one can read him:

Despite playing in almost all the franchise-based leagues around the cricketing globe, Rashid retains his element of surprise.

Recently, he became the second highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in 17 games in the IPL.

Moody believes there is no one in the world cricket right now who can read him properly. Moody cited his deception and variations in pace as the biggest weapon.

“No one reads him. I am yet to see someone successfully read whether he is bowling the wrong ‘un, the leg-spin or the top-spin. So, his deception is still a big weapon. Also, the speed at which he bowls and the speed at which the ball comes off the wicket is a great asset. If you combine those two things together, it is a pretty formidable task for any batsman to make the necessary changes,” he stressed.

In conclusion, Tom Moody feels Rashid will do well in the longer formats as well as he is a smart cricketer and understands the game pretty well.

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