Ever since Rashid Khan came on board the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) a few years ago, he has been the star attraction of the team. The Afghanistan cricketer, who is delighted to be a part of the team, won the Man Of The Match award in their match on Friday against the Rajasthan Royals.
Recalling his journey, Rashid said, “It has been a great journey. The support staff, the players, the coaches, they have all been wonderful. I treasure the experience of working with great players like V.V.S. Laxman, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tom Moody, etc. I try to learn as much as I can from them and try to give my best. Hopefully, I can continue to keep doing it.”
The 20-year-old cricketer said that the first thing he notices about Hyderabad is his growing fan base in the city. “I think about fans almost immediately. They love cricket and are super passionate about the game. Their support for the Orange Arm has been fantastic and very significant in our journey. The fans’ cheers push us through the extra mile during matches.”
Adding that Hyderabad is known for its biryani, Rashid said that he hasn't been able to make enough time to explore the city as yet. “I would love to explore the city but I haven’t been outside a lot. I visited a shopping mall once for a brief amount of time, and it was great to watch my fans cheering for me over there as well. Wherever I go, I generally look for shoes, watches, shirts, and T-shirts.”
Fans have been mobbing Rashid for selfies wherever he goes. How is he handling the growing stardom? “I try to live a simple life and enjoy every moment and not think about the future. Its ideal to go with the flow and take things as they come. People have been so warm and welcoming that I never felt like I was playing away from home (Afghanistan). In fact, Hyderabad has become my second home,” he explained.
His all-round heroics for SRH have not only caught the eye of cricket fans across the country but has also led to several suggesting that the Afghani teenage sensation should get Indian citizenship. “Yes, I’ve heard about it. I think it’s quite interesting, in fact. (smiles) It just shows how much people love you. I feel blessed, honestly,” he added.
Rashid is not a big fan of spicy recipes. “I’ve been a great fan of Hyderabadi food! I binged on the biryani a couple of years ago, and it was great! However, it was very, very spicy. And I cannot handle spicy food. (smiles) I love marag and maghaz masala, though.”
Stating that fitness is a way of life for him, Rashid said, “I make it a point to hit the gym regularly. Apart from keeping me refreshed, it helps me push myself and perform better in the field. It is indeed a challenging way of life.”
Rashid loves watching movies, especially Indian films. “I am a big fan of Indian movies and a huge fan of Aamir Khan! Many of his films convey very beautiful messages and lessons for sportsmen. He also happens to be a wonderful human being. I wish to have Aamir reprising me, if ever. As a sportsman, I can say that in every film that we watch, there is always something that inspires us,” he concludes.
