IPL 2019 | If you’re fit, you can perform in any department, reveals Rashid Khan

The Indian Premier League is shaping up to be a close affair this season after all teams, barring Royal Challengers Bangalore, look to be more or less in the running to secure a play-off spot. Led by stand-in skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a convincing five-wicket win against Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Thursday night.

The win moved the Hyderabad-based franchise to the top of the IPL table and Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan reckons that fitness levels were key to success in the shorter format of the game.

“Humesha koshishyahikartahuun ki jitnabhi khud ko fit rakhsakun. This is a game where you have to be fit, where you have to play consecutive cricket everywhere because you’ll be travelling. So I think when you’re fit it will give you extra energy and you can perform better in any department,” Rashid said at the post-match conference.

On a slow Feroz Shah Kotla track, the Afghan duo of Khan and Nabi combined as they gave away just 39 runs in the eight overs between them picking up three vital wickets in the process. Nabi removed Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant, Rashid picked the important wicket of Delhi skipper Shreyas Iyer when the latter looked in good form while batting at 43 off 41 balls.