Rashid Khan is showing signs of his best form in IPL 2026. (Image: Reuters)

Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan reveals the simple fix to rediscover form after surgery

Rashid Khan credits a return to basics for his revival after surgery, delivering a match-winning spell for Gujarat Titans and showing signs of regaining his best form in IPL 2026.

09 Apr 2026, 08:07 by Amar Sunil Panicker · India Today

In Short

Rashid Khan reveals simple tweak behind post-surgery comeback
Spinner delivers match-winning spell for Gujarat Titans
Return to basics helps Rashid rediscover rhythm

Rashid Khan has opened up on the technical and mental adjustments that helped him rediscover his rhythm after a prolonged struggle following surgery.

The Gujarat Titans spinner admitted that he had overcomplicated his bowling in the aftermath of his injury, focusing too much on mechanics rather than trusting his natural strengths.

“I was trying too many things, thinking about my action and landing,” Rashid said on JioStar. “I realised my strength has always been my line and length. I had drifted from that slightly, and getting back to it made the difference.”

Rashid explained that even a minor adjustment in his length played a key role in his resurgence. He identified that he had been bowling closer to six metres instead of his ideal five-and-a-half, a small shift that had a significant impact on effectiveness.

By simplifying his approach and focusing on consistency, the leg-spinner has begun to show glimpses of his best form again, particularly on surfaces that reward disciplined bowling.

Match-winning impact for GT

That improvement was evident in Gujarat Titans’ recent win over Delhi Capitals, where Rashid played a decisive role. He finished with figures of 3 for 17, striking at crucial moments to derail Delhi’s chase.

Rashid removed Nitish Rana early in his spell before dismissing the in-form Sameer Rizvi and later the Delhi skipper Axar Patel. His intervention in the middle overs shifted momentum back in Gujarat’s favour just as the game seemed to be slipping away.

Despite a late surge from David Miller, Gujarat Titans held their nerve to secure their first win of the season in a last-ball thriller.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen praised Rashid’s performance, noting that the spinner appeared closer to his best even if the team as a whole still has room for improvement.

“It’s good to see him back near his best,” Pietersen said on JioStar, while also pointing out that Gujarat’s bowling unit did not entirely click on the night.

Injury struggles and road to recovery

Rashid’s journey back to form has not been straightforward. A chronic lower-back injury led to surgery in late 2023, after which he managed his workload carefully. However, a packed schedule and recurring discomfort affected his performances through 2024 and 2025.

While there were flashes of brilliance, including a standout Test performance against Zimbabwe, consistency remained elusive. The recent outing, therefore, marks an encouraging step in his comeback.

With his confidence rebuilding and his focus back on the basics, Rashid Khan’s return to form could prove crucial for Gujarat Titans as the season progresses.

- Ends