Mumbai: Teenaged Rashid Khan, clearly a phenomenal performer in IPL XI (the Kolkata Knight Riders, for one, won't ever forget him), spoke to The Telegraph at some length.
Rashid is in his second year with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a franchise which is into its second final in three years. In 2016, the Sunrisers won the IPL for the first time, getting the better of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
This time, the Sunrisers face the Chennai Super Kings, on Sunday.
Excerpts...
Q What attracted you to cricket?
A My brothers and friends in our locality in Jalalabad would be out playing cricket, so it was only natural for me too to take to the sport. Aas paas to sabhi cricket khelte the... I began as a batsman before taking to leg spin.
Q Till you began making such a big impression, Jalalabad wasn't associated with cricket. Rather, it would be in the news for blasts and killings only. How challenging was it for you to grow as a cricketer in such a disturbed environment?
A It used to be tough and it wasn't uncommon for even the very young boys to have guns in their hand. Determination and some luck, however, did it for me.
Q Who did you idolise?
A Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi. Both were quick through the air with their leg spin... I used to be glued to the TV when they played, but as Kumble retired in 2008, I couldn't see much of him. Sadly.
Q Was there a coach to guide you?
A No. My first exposure to proper coaching/mentoring was when I joined the Sunrisers in 2017. That's when I met Tom Moody Sir, (VVS) Laxman Sir and Murali (Muttiah Muralidharan) Sir.
Q What did they tell you?
A All three made it clear that I didn't have to change anything, just needed to add to my armoury. Also, that I had to stay composed no matter what the state of the match.
Q Specifically, what did Murali, Test cricket's most successful bowler, tell you?
A Murali Sir paid a huge compliment - that I was more talented than him. Woh mere liye bahut hi badi baat thi, so motivating.
Q What was your first reaction?
A I was quite shocked... This year, Murali Sir suggested I should look to getting stronger mentally.
Q Well, what has the IPL taught you?
A Last year, I didn't know what to expect. All I was hoping was for support and encouragement from teammates and the management... Words of encouragement from Sachin (Tendulkar) Sir, after the match against the Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, made me heady... Virat Kohli had words of appreciation and it made me feel special.
Q What did Sachin tell you?
A Sachin Sir said I was doing well and should keep it up. He asked about my well-being as well. It was quite touching and, obviously, inspiring... My brothers too are big fans of Sachin Sir and one had asked me to take a selfie with him. I did and promptly WhatsApped it home!
Q Your first captain at Sunrisers was David Warner. This year, Kane Williamson... Some words on them?
A Both turned out to be supportive... If Warner was always positive, defeat isn't an option for Kane. He has been very demanding, be it in batting, bowling or fielding.
Q You've mentioned what Murali told you. What about Laxman, the Sunrisers' mentor?
A I had a couple of bad matches in a row this season and seeing me a little down on confidence, Laxman Sir invited me to his room one day. He then proceeded to tell me something I'll remember - that I should look forward, never look back. Laxman Sir reminded me that ups and downs are there in the career of every sportsperson and that's a reality which simply had to be accepted. Accept it and prepare for the next challenge... I intend sharing Laxman Sir's advice with my Afghanistan teammates. Unko bhi fayada ho ga.
Q Who has been the most challenging batsman to bowl to?
A Every batsman poses a challenge. Every batsman is the same for me.
Q You're 19, but have already been Afghanistan's stand-in captain (in the 2018 World Cup Qualifier, owing to regular captain Asghar Stanikzai's illness)... You have an exceptional CV...
A There were too many emotions at that point in time... Actually, it was quite amazing and such a big honour for me and my family. I had to quickly learn that when you're the captain, it's not about you but about the other 10 players as well... I captained in the first five matches, with the first three ending in defeats... Main sochne laga kya ho raha hai? Fortunately, we won the next two and, eventually, the Qualifier.
Q Weren't you nervous?
A In the first two matches, yes.
Q Test status in 2017, winning the 2018 World Cup Qualifier... Terrific times for Afghanistan's cricket... Thoughts?
A Cricketers across the world aspire to play Test cricket, be remembered as Test cricketers. It's no different for us from Afghanistan and we're excited about playing India next month... The World Cup too is a special tournament, but it's rightly pointed out that Test cricket is the absolute pinnacle.
Q Who will the Afghanistan players remember the most on the morning of June 14, in the moments before the historic first Test?
A Every previous generation of cricketers... They had no facilities, no equipment, no coaches... Yet, they kept at it and kept Afghanistan's dream alive... Each one of them will be remembered and I'm sure the team will dedicate our debut Test to their determination and motivation. They are our unsung heroes.
Q As you grow bigger in stature, there will surely be more pressure on you...
A If my focus is correct, nothing will be unbearable.
Q How do you keep yourself busy when it's not cricket?
A Watch movies, watch the TV... Aamir Khan is my favourite actor and I'd love to meet him.
Q Your favourite among ladies?
A Preity Zinta and Anushka Sharma, or Mrs Kohli... I met Preity in this IPL, but couldn't take a selfie... I'm yet to meet Anushka, though.
Q The final one... You come across as somebody who has his feet firmly on the ground. I hope you stay like this and not get carried away by success at such an early age...
A (Emotionally) My mother, in particular, has instilled strong values... ' Beta, paoon ko hamesha zameen par hi rakhna... Unka zameen pe rehna bahut zaroori hai' is something she told me some years ago. I haven't forgotten what my mother said. Don't intend forgetting either.
