IPL 10: Afghanistan star Rashid Khan gets the Purple Cap

Young Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan has made it a habit to be in the news. Ever since he was drafted n the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp in the IPL 2017, he has been a prominent name for the fans. The 18-year old became the first Afghanistan player to play in the Indian Premier League.

He made his debut against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener and impressed with a two-wicket haul. Now, playing his very second game of the season, he has entered the record books as the first Purple cap holder of IPL 10. Rashid Khan returned with figures of 3/19 in his quota of 4 overs. He was simply superb to watch as the Gujarat Lions had absolutely no clue about his googlies.

He got a wicket each in his first three overs on the day. He started off by getting rid of Brendon McCullum in his first over. The next in line was Aaron Finch who was trapped lbw by the young Afghan. Lastly, he got the big fish of Gujarat Lions skipper Suresh Raina to complete his trio of three wickets. In the innings break, he was handed the Purple cap by commentator Michael Clarke.

Rashid expressed his happiness at having received the cap. He thanked all the support of the Indian fans and his fans back home in Afghanistan. He pointed out that the wicket of Brendon McCullum was his most priced one.

He quoted, “It is a wonderful moment for me. I would like to keep the good work going till the end. It’s difficult for the batsmen to pick my googlies. It’s a good track and if you bowl wicket-to-wicket here, it will be tough for the batsmen. We have lots of support here and thanks to all the support in Afghanistan. I bowl according to the conditions and Baz’s is my favourite wicket. Hopefully, our batsmen will try and chase this score.”

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to his achievement:

3rd OVER – 3rd WICKET @rashidkhan_19 dismissed McCullum, Finch & Raina ?? #SRHvGL #IPL

— DS AFGHAN (@CocoPesho) April 9, 2017

#AFG Googly Khan has kept everyone on their toes – including millions of spectators and social media users. #RashidKhan @IPL @ACBofficials

— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) April 9, 2017

4-0-19-3

Welcome to the IPL, Rashid Khan.#SuperstarInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/n64MqMqceu

— TimeChor (@TheTimeChor) April 9, 2017

3-19, 1 dropped catch, one blatant edge not given. Should have been 5-19

Monster #RashidKhan

— Prince (@PrinceePathan) April 9, 2017

So 136 is the Target! All credit goes to @rashidkhan_19 ?#SRHvGL #IPL

— Satnam ? (@imSatnam_) April 9, 2017

Rashid Khan making leg-spinners proud,gem of a player
SRH doing a great job in finding young potential players#OrangeArmy

— Farzana Neeshi (@neeshi19) April 9, 2017

Whatever comes from Afghanistan are popular in Hyderabad:

Then: Biriyani

Now: Rashid Khan

— Sarcastic Dude (@Sarcasticdudee) April 9, 2017

Long live @rashidkhan_19 we are proud of you#IPL2017 pic.twitter.com/KoJ4C6azF4

— Sanaullah Mojaddedi (@SanaullahMoj) April 6, 2017

Rashid Khan bowling so well!! #SRHvGL

— Moeen Ali (@MoeenAli) April 9, 2017

Whatever comes from Afghanistan are popular in Hyderabad :-
Then: Biriyani, Now: Rashid Khan. #SRHvGL #MIvKKR

— Virender Sehwag (@VirenderSehweg) April 9, 2017

Remember the name, Rashid Khan. #IPL #SRHvGL pic.twitter.com/1gEYGAyAXp

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 9, 2017

Rashid Khan you beauty. In the land of the Hyderabadi biryani the Chicken Afghani making a serious statement. @SunRisers @IPL #SRHvGL pic.twitter.com/o31NgQ5quL

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 9, 2017

for indian viewers, not since Big B in khuda gawah has there been an afghan performance as enjoyable as this one #SRHvGL

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 9, 2017

Ashish Nehra made his test debut five months after Rashid Khan was born? What a competitor. What a diverse bowling attack @SunRisers #SRHvGL

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 9, 2017

A proud moment for the whole #Afghan nation. @rashidkhan_19 gets the purple cap. @IPL @SunRisers #SRHvGL

— Roohul Amin Munqaad (@RMunqaad) April 9, 2017

Rashid Khan cannot be lauded enough for his performance. Supreme bowling! #VIVOIPL #eit20 #SRHvGL

— Prasen Moudgal (@Prasen_m4299) April 9, 2017