IPL 2021: I was not expecting to get the contract, so not disappointed: Adil Rashid.
IPL 2021: England spinner Adil Rashid on Saturday said that he was not really disappointed with the way IPL 2021 auction went as he was not expecting any bids from the franchises. He further said, the league has several tweakers so getting picked in the first place was a bit of a task.
Rashid has done reasonably well for England in the international format. The spinner also features in the top 10 T20I bowlers ranking of ICC. However, he failed to draw the attention of any franchise and so was the case in the recent IPL auctions.
“I wouldn’t say disappointing, obviously there are a lot of spinners out there, India also got their own local spinners, so I wasn’t really expecting my self to be picked,” Rashid said on the eve of the second T20 International against India here.
“I would love to be part of, but again these leagues work like, you put your name in the draw and rest you leave up to the franchises.”
Eoin Morgan turned to Adil Rashid with the new ball and it worked wonders for Englishmen. Rashid removed skipper Virat Kohli on a duck in the fourth over of the game during the first T20I against India.
“Bowling with the new ball is new for me now (he did so a decade back for Yorkshire and in Australia), something I have been working on for past couple of days.
“Hope I can carry on with that regardless of the situation, whether it’s first six (overs), middle or back, I am always looking to develop and work hard.
Rashid is right now focusing on limited-overs cricket upon recovering from his shoulder injury. The spinner feels he is not yet fully recovered to play rigorous red-ball cricket and bowl long spells.
“I haven’t thought of Ashes or Test Cricket as of now. Limited overs cricket is all right now. There is a World Cup and a lot of cricket before that. I am focusing on limited-overs cricket currently.”
Besides India, England are considered as favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021.
“We do believe in ourselves, as a side we know our strengths and we will have to stick to that. Develop our game as much as possible and we should stand a chance.”
The visitors are right now leading the five-game T20I series with 1-0 after India lost the opener of the series by eight wickets in Ahmedabad. The second game of the series will be played on Sunday, 14th March 2021 on the same ground.
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