IPL 2019: Bhuvneshwar Kumar backs Rashid Khan after poor show against CSK

Though Rashid Khan hasn’t looked as threatening as the previous edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), he hasn’t allowed the bowlers to take him to the cleaners. Playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he has been a grand success. However, he has had his rare off days, one of which came yesterday against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

After the Sunrisers piled on 175, the hosts got off to a fast start and the onus was on Rashid to pull things back. The Young Turk picked up Suresh Raina’s wicket, but couldn’t stop Shane Watson from unleashing his wide array of strokes. He ended up conceding 44 runs in his spell. Nevertheless, after SRH’s six-wicket loss, stand-in-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar backed Rashid Khan.

“It was a par score on that wicket. There was dew on the ground, but that didn’t really bother us. The way Watson batted we couldn’t really do much. This is probably the first off day for Rashid in three years, anyone can have an off day. The credit goes to Watson,” Bhuvneshwar, who replaced Kane Williamson as the captain, was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation ceremony.

I have learnt a lot doing captaincy

In yesterday’s match, Jonny Bairstow couldn’t open his account, getting out to Harbhajan Singh. The Englishman has been in excellent form and has already left the country in order to prepare for the World Cup. Nonetheless, Bhuvi sounded confident and mentioned that the team has appropriate replacements and would be putting its best foot forward in the next game against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

“We will obviously miss Bairstow but we have players in the squad who can replace him. We have three away games now out of four and we have to win those games to qualify. We have to be our best to defeat RR. I have learnt a lot doing captaincy,” Bhuvneshwar mentioned.

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