The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bought Rashid Khan for 4 crores in 2017. He went on to play for the franchise for five seasons, appearing in 76 games and taking 93 wickets. He is arguably the best bowler in T20 cricket and one of the reasons behind his success is the variations in his arsenal.
Rashid is the franchise's second-highest wicket-taker, trailing only Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. So it came as a surprise to cricket experts and fans around the world when SRH decided not to retain him for the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). There was only one question on everyone’s mind: How could a franchise let go of a player who has been such a huge asset to the team?
SRH bowling coach and Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan finally addressed this question, saying that it was not their wish to let go of the Afghanistan spinner but they couldn’t afford him.
"We didn't want to get rid of Rashid Khan, but we couldn't afford him," Muralitharan was quoted saying to Star Sports in a mid-match chat during the SRH vs GT clash.
Rashid, who is currently representing the Gujarat Titans (GT), locked horns with his old franchise for the first time on Monday (April 11) at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. The leg-spinner conceded 28 runs in his 4 overs and claimed one wicket.
SRH triumphed over GT thanks to Kane Williamson's valiant 46-ball 57. After two consecutive losses, SRH won for the second time in a row. They will next face KKR on Friday (April 15).
(TIMES NOW INPUTS)
