Rashid Khan: Focusing on GT's weak middle order 'takes focus away' from strengths
Synopsis
Rashid Khan's message to Gujarat Titans is clear: stop obsessing over the middle order's failures. With GT's bowling attack as a world-class asset and Rashid himself delivering match-winning spells, the franchise's path to success runs through restricting opponents and trusting that small contributions from the middle will compound into wins. His 2-19 against RCB proved the theory works.
Key Takeaways
Rashid Khan said GT's middle order weakness is real but focusing on it 'takes the focus away' from team strengths.
GT's top order of Shubman Gill , Sai Sudharsan , and Jos Buttler has carried the batting load this season.
Rashid took 2 for 19 as GT bowled out RCB for 155 in 19.2 overs ; target chased in 15.5 overs .
Middle-order batters must maximise limited opportunities, aiming for 15-20 runs in 5-10 balls during chases.
Rashid emphasised bowling discipline and hitting the 5-5.5 metre length as GT's competitive edge.
Rashid Khan, Gujarat Titans' star spinner, said on 1 May that while the team's middle order has underperformed in the IPL season, dwelling on that weakness diverts attention from the unit's core strengths. Speaking after GT's win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Afghanistan international emphasised a mindset shift toward capitalising on what the team does well.
The middle-order challenge
GT's batting has leaned heavily on openers Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, while the middle order has struggled to contribute runs consistently. This imbalance has been a recurring pattern throughout the season, leaving the franchise vulnerable in tight contests.
Rashid's perspective on team weaknesses
"In a competition like the IPL, every team will have a weakness in some department, whether it is bowling, the middle order, or the top order. We try, as much as possible, not to focus on that," Rashid Khan told Jio Hotstar. He argued that constant introspection on shortcomings erodes team confidence and strategic clarity, particularly in a high-pressure tournament format.
The role of middle-order batters
Rather than accept the weakness as fixed, Rashid called for accountability from middle-order players to maximise their limited opportunities. "Whoever gets the responsibility in the middle, including myself, should aim to score 15-20 runs if I have five to 10 balls to play. That is extremely important because if we keep thinking that our middle order is weak or that the top order failing will put us in trouble, we lose our focus," he said. Even small contributions, he noted, can shift momentum in chase scenarios.
Bowling as the competitive edge
Rashid highlighted that GT's bowling attack — featuring world-class spinners and pace options — is a differentiator in the tournament. "If you look at some other teams in the competition, they do not have a bowling line-up of the calibre that we do. So, our focus is to restrict the opposition batters to low scores and make things easier for our batters," he said. This philosophy underpinned GT's strategy against RCB.
Rashid's match-winning spell
Rashid Khan took 2 for 19 as GT bowled out RCB for just 155 runs in 19.2 overs. The target was chased in 15.5 overs, showcasing the effectiveness of the bowling-first approach. On his performance, Rashid credited precision and economy: "The most important thing for me was to bowl in the right areas. It was important for the team that I maintained a good economy, especially in the middle overs. My focus was to consistently hit the 5 to 5.5-metre length, which really helped me." He acknowledged that runs conceded came from poor deliveries, reinforcing the need for discipline in execution.
Point of View
Mindset matters in sport, but a middle order that consistently fails to deliver is not a psychological issue — it is a selection and form issue. GT has the bowling to restrict opposition, but if the middle order remains a liability, even small totals will be hard to chase. The real question is whether GT's management will address the batting depth, or whether Rashid's philosophy of 'ignore it and focus on bowling' becomes an excuse for underinvestment in the batting lineup.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rashid Khan say about GT's middle-order weakness?
Rashid Khan acknowledged that GT's middle order has been a weakness in the IPL season but argued that focusing on it diverts attention from team strengths. He said: 'In a competition like the IPL, every team will have a weakness in some department... We try, as much as possible, not to focus on that.'
How did Rashid Khan perform against RCB?
Rashid Khan took 2 for 19 as Gujarat Titans bowled out RCB for 155 runs in 19.2 overs. GT chased the target in 15.5 overs, winning by 8 wickets. Rashid credited his performance to bowling in the right areas and maintaining a good economy rate, especially in the middle overs.
What does Rashid Khan expect from middle-order batters?
Rashid Khan said middle-order batters must maximise their limited opportunities and aim to score 15-20 runs off 5-10 balls, especially in chase scenarios. He stressed that even small contributions can make a big impact and that constantly worrying about the weakness erodes team focus.
Why does Rashid Khan believe GT's bowling is a competitive advantage?
Rashid Khan stated that GT has a bowling lineup of a calibre not matched by most other IPL teams. He said the focus should be on restricting opposition batters to low scores, which makes the chase easier for GT's batters. This strategy worked effectively against RCB.
