IPL 2019: Zaheer Khan and Shane Bond impressed with Rasikh Salam on his debut

Mumbai Indians (MI) unleashed a rookie pacer in Rasikh Salam in their Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener against the Delhi Capitals (DC). They had given a similar opportunity to Mayank Markande last year and after a brilliant show, he came into the selectors’ radar to finally play for India recently in a T20I against Australia. Rasikh is an exciting 17-year-old fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, the talent identified by Irfan Pathan last year during the domestic season.

Many have been impressed with the way he has been bowling over the last few months and the lad must have done something special in the nets to get a chance to play in the very first game of the season. Though it wasn’t a debut to remember for him. Rasikh Salam returned with the figures of 0/42 in his four overs and was pummeled by Rishabh Pant for 21 runs in the final over of his spell.

But he cranked some decent pace and line and lengths during the first three overs which has impressed the Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach Shane Bond and Director of Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan.

He looked pretty composed

Shane Bond looks mighty impressed with the young kid and felt that despite starting with the no-ball, Rasikh Salam was pretty composed during his spell. He also felt that the fast bowler deserved to get his first wicket in the game against the Capitals but is also confident that he will get it soon.

“I thought there is a certain calmness about him, there is no doubt he would have been nervous. It was not the best start with no-ball yet the whole time he looked pretty composed. So, for someone so young to have that composure, that was great to see, and I think he needs that composure if he wants to go forward in this tournament.

“It was exciting to see him play and I know he would have wanted to get his first wicket under the belt but I am sure that will come someway down the trip,” Bond said while speaking to MI TV.

Zaheer liked his temperament

Zaheer Khan, on the other hand, liked Rasikh Salam and his temperament and felt that he is a very good prospect going forward for India as well. “I think he is an exciting young prospect who has got a good command over his swing. He is a bright young kid, I liked his temperament. This game was very important for him, he is just a 17-year-old youngster who wants to do well, has got a very good understanding of the game, temperament, all that,” the former India pacer added.

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