New Delhi

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has dismissed claims that batters have decoded his bowling, asserting that consistency and control, rather than constant innovation, will determine his effectiveness as the team prepares for next month’s ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential leg-spinners in modern T20 cricket, Rashid has faced scrutiny following relatively subdued performances in the last two Indian Premier League seasons with Gujarat Titans, sparking suggestions that opposition batters have grown accustomed to his methods.

Responding to such views, Rashid said he does not believe the solution lies in overhauling his bowling style or chasing new variations.

“It’s not really about changing everything — whether variations or line and length. For me, it’s more about execution,” Rashid told PTI Videos during an interaction arranged by Red Bull.

A look at his recent IPL statistics reflects the dip. After claiming 27 wickets in 17 matches in the 2023 season to finish second in the Purple Cap race, his tally dropped to 10 wickets in 12 matches in 2024. The following season saw a further decline to nine wickets in 15 games, with his economy rate crossing nine runs per over.

Rashid, however, attributed this to the fine margins of the T20 format rather than any fundamental flaw in his bowling.

“When I miss my areas slightly, I tend to concede runs. Earlier, I was very accurate with my line. That’s the only difference,” he explained, adding that there was no cause for concern.

He also argued that predictability in itself is not a weakness, citing examples of top fast bowlers who succeed despite batters knowing what to expect.

“There are many bowlers whose plans are well known, yet they keep taking wickets,” Rashid said. “Take someone like Mitchell Starc — everyone knows he swings the ball early, but he still gets batters out because he hits the right areas time and again.”

The Afghanistan skipper believes the same principle applies to spin bowling as well.

“Even if a batter knows what I’m likely to bowl, if I’m precise, it’s still difficult to score,” he said.

Afghanistan enter the tournament with confidence after clinching a 2-1 T20I series win over West Indies, a result Rashid said has boosted morale across departments.

“Our preparation has been good. Batting, bowling, fielding — everything is coming together well. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the World Cup,” he said.

The tournament, beginning February 7, will be played across venues in India and Sri Lanka, conditions Rashid feels suit his side. Several Afghan players, including Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Rashid himself, have extensive experience playing in the region through international cricket and various leagues.

“Most of our senior players are very familiar with conditions in India. That definitely helps,” he noted.

However, Rashid cautioned against relying solely on reputation or experience.

“You can have a strong bowling attack, but you still need to deliver on the day. It’s about sticking to your strengths and consistently hitting the right areas,” he said.

For Afghanistan’s spin quartet, Rashid emphasised simplicity and mental clarity as key factors.

“Our focus is on keeping things simple and not putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves,” he added.

Reflecting on Afghanistan’s remarkable semi-final run in the previous T20 World Cup, Rashid said the team’s success was built on a similar mindset.

“We didn’t carry expectations. We just focused on giving our best on the field. Reaching the semi-finals was special, but it came from playing freely and with belief,” he said.

The captain believes that approach will again define Afghanistan’s campaign.

“We want to concentrate on what the team needs and what the conditions demand, rather than worrying about outcomes,” he said.

Rashid also spoke about the influence of Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill, describing him as a calm leader with valuable experience at the highest level.

“He has handled pressure situations at the international level, especially in red-ball cricket. Watching how he leads and manages tough moments has been a good learning experience,” Rashid said.

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Afghanistan are placed in Group D alongside West Indies, Scotland, Nepal and the UAE, and Rashid remains optimistic that disciplined execution can help his side make a deep run in the tournament once again.