After years of IPL dominance, Rashid Khan is now facing the toughest stretch of his career. The Gujarat Titans’ star spinner, known for his control and wicket-taking ability, has struggled to find his rhythm in IPL 2025. While his recent performance against Rajasthan Royals showed improvement, his overall numbers this season have been a far cry from his usual standards, raising concerns for the Titans despite their recent win.
An Unfamiliar Struggle for the Afghan Star
Rashid Khan’s dip in form has been drastic. Heading into the match against Rajasthan Royals, he had taken just one wicket in four games, with an average of 143 and an economy rate of 10.21. Against Rajasthan, his 4-0-37-2 performance marked an improvement, bringing his average down to 60 and economy to 10—numbers still far removed from the Rashid of previous seasons. Until 2022, Rashid had never gone above 7 runs per over in an entire IPL. Even in 2024, which was heavily tilted in favour of batters, he still managed to maintain respectable figures. But 2025 has shown a steeper decline.
The biggest issue appears to be control. Once renowned for consistently hitting an awkward length, Rashid has recently been too short or too full, losing his grip over line and length. Batters are now finding it easier to read and score off him, something that was nearly unthinkable during his peak years from 2017 to 2023. A possible reason for the decline could be his back surgery in late 2023. Since returning, Rashid hasn’t looked the same, and the sharpness in his bowling appears to have diminished.
Titans Still Back Their Match-Winner
Despite his struggles, Rashid remains a vital part of Gujarat Titans’ plans. His experience, game awareness, and occasional batting contributions keep him in the playing XI. Assistant coach Parthiv Patel remains optimistic, stating that Rashid is just one good game away from finding his rhythm. His encouraging performance against Rajasthan, where he bowled with better control and speed, has sparked hope in the Titans’ camp.
Luckily for Gujarat, others have stepped up. Sai Kishore has delivered consistently, while Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are having standout seasons. This collective performance has ensured the team hasn’t suffered despite Rashid’s dip in form. The hope now is that the star spinner finds his groove before the season heats up further.
