IPL 2022 | I call myself a 'spin-fast' bowler, reveals Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan, one of the most sought-after spinners for T20 leagues with 436 wickets in 312 games, claimed that he has a fast bowler's mindset in a spinner's body with an uncompromising attitude when it comes to ripping his googlies and leg-breaks off the surface at nearly 100 kph. Having started the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with impressive figures of 1/27 for Gujarat Titans (GT), Rashid is extremely hopeful that he can replicate his Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) form for the new franchise, which is led by Hardik Pandya.

"I am a spin-fast bowler because of the pace at which I bowl. It is very hard to spin the ball at that pace and for that, I think that it requires a different kind of skill-set," Rashid recently told PTI in an exclusive interview. 

“The speed at which I bowl is somewhere between 96 kph to 100 kph. It is hard to generate turn at that pace but I would rather bowl at that speed than bring it down to 70 to 75 kph. I have always been a big fan of bowling quick leg-spin. I have just been trying different experiments with my bowling in the nets and it's really helping,” he added.

Further, Rashid revealed that he does not consider himself a leg-spinner, citing “because spinners use a lot of wrists and I don't use my wrists that much. I just use the top of my fingers and so I am a finger spinner as well in that sense.”

Speaking about the term ‘mystery spinner’, Rashid opined that 'mystery' comes from the consistency of being able to hit the right length which can sow seeds of doubts in a batter's mind.

“It's all about, being more consistent with line and length and whatever you are bowling -- be it flipper or leg-break. As long as you have good control over your skills and can bowl in the right areas, it doesn't matter if there is an element of mystery or not. 

"If you hit the perfect length time and again, anyone can become a mystery bowler. The length on which I have worked hard makes me different from other leg-spinners,” he explained.