‘Not much of a wicket-taker’ – Brian Lara reveals why Hyderabad didn't retain Rashid Khan

Hyderabad have been superb in the Indian T20 league 2022 so far. After losing their first two games, they went on to win their next five games. They are currently placed second on the points table. Besides, the orange army recently beat Bangalore in a convincing manner.

However, their decision to not retain Rashid Khan prior to the auction was baffling, to say the least. Not only is the Afghan spinner one of the best T20 players in the world, but he was one of Hyderabad's best players as well. Thus, Gujarat managed to acquire his services. Hence, several pundits and experts went on to question Hyderabad's management.

However, their batting coach Brian Lara felt that Rashid wasn't ‘much of a wicket-taker'. While speaking to Star Sports, he stated that batters look to defend against him. Although he said that he has the utmost respect for the Afghan player, he went on to praise the likes of Washington Sundar and Jagadeesha Suchith.

“I have a great respect for Rashid Khan but I believe we have the right combination. Rashid Khan was someone who opposition teams decided to defend against, he was not much of a wicket-taker.

Yes (economy of) 5.5-6 runs per over is great but I think when you have a guy like Washington Sundar spinning the ball into the left-handers in the first six overs, He is an asset. Suchith has come in as his replacement due to injury and he is an asset as well,” said Brian Lara after Hyderabad's win over Bangalore.

Further on, the legendary batter also said that they would have won all seven games if Rashid was in their side. He then spoke about Shreyas Gopal, who is yet to get a game in this edition. Thus, Lara was very confident of Hyderabad's bench strength.

"We have Shreyas Gopal, though he hasn’t had a game so far. He is also someone who has a hat-trick in the ITL. I still think we have a lot in the reserves to show the ITL and I am not too worried. All respect to Rashid Khan, if he was a member of this team, I think we might have been 7 out of 7, I don’t know,” he added.