MATCH STORIES
Follow UsMumbai Indians (MI) are known for their brilliant scouting. They have shaped the careers of many who have gone on to not just win laurels for the franchise but also to represent their countries. For Arshad Khan, who was bought by MI in the mega auction for his base price of INR 20 lakh, his career did not pan out that way. But on May 14 (Tuesday), turning up for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he did make an impact against Delhi Capitals (DC).
While Arshad was primarily picked for his fast bowling abilities, he has shown that he can hold a bat on a couple of occasions this season — incidentally, on both occasions, against DC.
On April 12 in Lucknow, LSG were reduced to 94/6 at the end of 13 overs. While a 16-ball 20 does not look fancy by any stretch of the imagination, he played a pivotal role in supporting Ayush Badoni, whose unbeaten 35-ball 55 took LSG to 167/7.
On Tuesday, he took his batting skills to another level. Nicholas Pooran (61 off 27) was going all guns blazing, but unfortunately, he did not find any support from the other end. At 101/6 in the 12th over in pursuit of 209, the game looked like a lost cause for LSG once Pooran was dismissed.
Enter Arshad Khan!
DC would have hoped to wrap this up quickly and register a big win, but Arshad was determined. While his batting prowess might have taken many by surprise, it is a skill set that he has had up his sleeve for years.
He absolutely butchered anything that was full. Around 70% of the deliveries he received were either full or pitched further up. He scored at a strike rate of 271.43 in the ‘V’ down the ground – most of which cleared the fence.
He remained unbeaten on 58 off 33, which was also his first-ever T20 fifty, that kept DC on their toes. DC were prepared for KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis and even Pooran, but Arshad, who, right?
DC and the entire world found that out.
In the 2019-20 season of the CK Nayudu Under-25 Trophy, the Madhya Pradesh bowler caught the eye when he was not just the leading wicket-taker with 36 scalps but also scored 400 runs in the season, including a ton against Assam. There, he also managed to hit 86 off 59 against Mumbai lower down the order.
An injury forced him out of action in 2022 after MI secured his services. MI are known to take good care of their players, allowing them to have nets whenever the player requests. That, in a way, also gave the players the confidence to help them transform into the best players they can be.
It was a similar case with Arshad.
“A month after my injury, MI contacted me. A step-by-step programme was put in place. I was involved in some hard sessions with the team physio and trainers. Only a few months in was I allowed to bat and bowl. We set the DY Patil tournament as my target,” he said about his rehab process.
His hard work paid off as he participated in the DY Patil tournament and was among the wickets again, finishing with 10 in six games. And there, too, he shone with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 25-ball 34 against the Indian Navy.
Fast-forward to the 2023 IPL season.
The left-arm pacer debuted for MI that season and finished with five wickets in six matches, including 3/39 against Rajasthan Royals (RR). While those numbers are not earth-shattering, they are a testament to the hard yards he put in.
MI may have released him ahead of the 2024 IPL auction, but LSG trusted him to deliver this season. They might wonder if they should have given him a longer rope.
While LSG’s campaign in IPL 2024 is all but over, they very well may have found at least one player they could potentially retain or get back in the mega auction at the end of the year. MI might have made a mistake letting the 26-year-old go, but LSG surely will think twice before doing so.
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