In the Mumbai Indians (MI) versus Gujarat Titans (GT) IPL 2023 match at the Wankhede Stadium, GT superstar Rashid Khan’s all-round performance went in vain as his team fell short of the 219-run target set by 37 runs.
After the top and middle order failed to deliver, Rashid played an unbeaten inning of 79 runs, which included three fours and ten sixes. He walked in to bat when GT were struggling at 100/7, and his explosive batting display surprised cricket and Bollywood stars.
Put in to bat first, MI posted 218 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of 5 wickets. Middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav smashed a magnificent century (103 off 49 balls), including 11 fours and six sixes. Rashid picked four wickets for GT while conceding 30 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Although the Titans lost the match, Rashid’s outstanding performance with both bat and ball did not go unnoticed, and Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, former India international Suresh Raina, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle and others took to Twitter to express their admiration.
Many were impressed with Rashid’s ability to score runs at a time when his team needed it the most, and some even termed his knock one of the best in IPL history.
Here are the reactions:
And yes…Rashid Khan! What an absolute beast! A consummate cricketer! One of the worlds most formidable spinners.. has legitimately evolved his T20 game, adding fancy and feisty striking to his repertoire! Rashid’s mettle is peerless! #MIvsGT @rashidkhan_19 @gujarat_titans @IPL…
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) May 12, 2023
मुंबई इंडियंस के रास्ते में राशिद खान ऐसे खड़े हुए जैसे शेरों की पलटन के सामने हाथी। चार विकेट लेने के साथ 79 रन बनाकर उन्होंने बताया कि वह हमेशा की तरह गेंद नहीं बल्ले के भी पठान हैं।@rashidkhan_19 #MIvsGT
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 12, 2023
Rashid Khan 79* (32) – on one leg. 😱👏
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 12, 2023
Soon, there will be nothing that Rashid Khan cannot do…..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 12, 2023
The crown is back where it belongs! 👑💜@rashidkhan_19 | #MIvGT #AavaDe #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/aptcXIlAW2
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 13, 2023
Took 4 wickets, made 79* runs in 32 balls, all this while limping in pain. Praan jaaye par Rashid Khan na jaaye. #MIvsGST pic.twitter.com/iN8pZINfdp
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 12, 2023
This is one of the greatest all round performance in T20 cricket. Respect Rashid Khan. pic.twitter.com/RbO3cKV5Gj
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) May 12, 2023
Welldone the great @rashidkhan_19
👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽….. pic.twitter.com/VogLivO2Pe— Rahmat Shah (@RahmatShah_08) May 12, 2023
That’s Rashid Khan for you! #ipl #ipl2023 #cricket #GT #MIvGT #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/90z7SZj9lU
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 13, 2023
After the game, GT captain Hardik Pandya too heaped praises on Rashid, saying that it felt like only the Afghan lad turned up from his side.
“Felt like only Rashid Khan turned up from our team, batted and bowled incredibly well,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation ceremony.