IPL 2018: SRH bank on Rashid Khan magic, final time

On Friday night, the buzz going on Twitter was around Rashid Khan, with some Indians even asking the government to give the Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder an Indian citizenship after his heroics against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Even Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister of External Affairs, added to the Khan euphoria with this wity tweet: “@rashidkhan_19 – I have seen all the tweets. Citizenship matters are dealt with by Ministry of Home affairs.” 

She later deleted the tweet, and whether Khan is given Indian citizenship or not, but one thing is certain: he has played a huge role in SRH making the finals of this IPL.

His all-round show (34 & 3/19) on Friday helped Hyderabad overcome KKR in the Qualifier 2. 

Such was his performance that it attracted compliments from the greats of the game.

“As a leg spinner I love seeing all the different types of leg spinners playing in the #IPL but watching @rashidkhan_19 bowl in these big games makes me proud as he loves this stage & pressure it also gets me excited !” Australian legend Shane Warne tweeted after the game.

Not just Warne, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar went gaga over Khan’s cricketing abilities.

“Always felt @rashidkhan_19 was a good spinner but now I wouldn’t hesitate in saying he is the best spinner in the world in this format. Mind you, he’s got some batting skills as well. Great guy,” he tweeted.

Not many would have given SRH a chance for a good show this season initially, but they have been inspired by captain Kane Williamson’s (688 runs) solid batting and Khan’s bowling (21 wickets) to defy all odds.

Will he be able to deliver a match-winning performance in the final tonight? SRH would desperately hope so.