Afghanistan has undergone a drastic political change in the last few days as the Taliban has taken over the country. However, Hamid Shinwari, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board assured that cricket will not face any problems. Speaking to PTI from Kabul, Shinwari confirmed that the members of the national team and their families are safe.

"Taliban loves cricket. They have supported us since the beginning. They did not interfere in our activities."

Hamid Shinwari

"I don't see any interference and expect support so that our cricket can move forward. We have got an active chairman, I remain CEO until further notice," added Shinwari.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Rashid Khan And Mohammed Nabi's Participation in Focus as Taliban Takes Over Afghanistan

"It can be said that cricket flourished during the Taliban era. "It is also a fact that many of our players practised in Peshawar and they made the sport mainstream in Afghanistan. "The good thing is that we are heading towards normalcy. The people have started working. We will resume our office from tomorrow and the national camp, which was underway ahead of the Pakistan series in Sri Lanka will also resume after a two-day break with the change in regime," said Shinwari. Talking about the player's safety, he said: "Other than four or five players who are playing overseas the rest are all in Kabul. As I said, they are safe and doing fine."

Gujarat Titans entered IPL 2025 with one of the best bowling line-ups. They had Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma among fast bowlers. And Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore and Washington Sundar leading the spinners. But while you would have expected Rashid Khan to be the main stars, reality has been different. Rashid endured the worst-ever phase of bowling he’s had in any IPL, and he has been playing in the tournament since 2017. He has gone wicketless in 7 innings out of 18 since IPL 2024. 

So, let's take a look at the stats of 'Rashid Khan in IPL since 2024'.

Also Read: Most Wickets Among Spinner in IPL Since 2023

What has gone wrong with Rashid?

The Rashid Khan in IPL of 2017 to 2023 was a master at landing the ball where he wanted to. He would find that sweet spot where batters were neither confident coming forward because the ball was not full enough, nor rocking back because it wasn’t short enough. And with Rashid’s speeds, you couldn’t safely just read him off the pitch either.

Moreover, it was extremely difficult to pick his variations. The googly caught many a batter plumb or bowled, because when he delivered it the difference in action was miniscule compared to his leg-break. His changes of pace, sliders and top-spinners were equally subtle. There was a fizz to his bowling.

But of late, that control has been lacking. The master of length has been bowling too short, too full, and straying in line too. What could be the reason?

Rashid had back surgery in late 2023, and that could well be a contributing factor. Since his comeback from that surgery, he has been a diminished version of what he was at his peak. The numbers show that clearly.

Rashid Khan in IPL since 2024

There is a clear contrast between the 2025 numbers and those of previous years. IPL 2024 was the first time Rashid was a bit below average, although in the most batting-dominated season of all time, his numbers were still quite okay. But in 2025 that decline was steeper.

Rashid Khan in IPL over the years

From his first year in 2017, Rashid was a phenomenon. He was extremely difficult to score off, and despite opponents playing him defensively and trying to just get through his overs without damage, he was picking up regular wickets too.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Best Economy in IPL Since 2024

We expect Rashid to be back soon

Rashid still remains a key part of the Gujarat Titans. His experience and nous can’t be discounted, and he adds value with his batting too. As he showed against Royals, he can be handy with his bowling still. What has helped Titans is how Kishore has seamlessly stepped up, while Siraj and Prasidh are on track to have their best IPL seasons. That has allowed the team to not be too hindered by Rashid’s drop off. And they expect him to be back to his best soon too.

Whether this game marks the start of better fortunes for Rashid or not remains to be seen. But it did show that he can’t be discounted yet.

India’s most-watched sports tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has returned with its latest edition, IPL 2025. The new season is following the footsteps of its previous editions with almost every match turning out to be a nail biting one. However, despite the tournament's history of being batting-dominant, many players over the years have proved why people say that batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments.

Also Read: IPL facts: Most IPL centuries by IPL teams

It is a common sight in the IPL that teams with better bowlers often end up securing a podium finish. So, let's take a look at most wickets among spinner in IPL since 2023.

Most Wickets Among Spinner | Since 2023

5. Piyush Chawla | 35 Wickets

Piyush Chawla has been playing in the IPL since the inaugural edition. He has represented four teams in the IPL. Chawla took 35 wickets since 2023 season. 

Overall in 192 matches, Chawla owns a total of 192 wickets at 26.60. His economy rate is 7.96. The right-arm spinner has two four-wicket hauls. Chawla had a remarkable IPL 2023 season for MI.

4. Noor Ahmad | 35 Wickets

Noor Ahmad started his IPL career with Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022. He did not feature in a single game during the season. Later on, he played 13 and 10 games respectively in the IPL 2023 and 2024 season. In the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings signed him for INR 10 crores.

Noor Ahmad has taken 35 wickets since 2023 with an average of 23.11 and a strike rate of 17.14. His economy in the IPL is 8.09 with the best figures of 4/18. His best figures came against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 in Chennai.

Noor also took 16 wickets in the IPL 2023, contributing his team; Gujarat Titans to reach the final of the season. He was also a part of the GT squad that played in the final of the IPL 2022.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal | 40 Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal comes third in the list of most wickets among spinner in IPL since 2023 with 40 wickets. He has represented multiple franchises in the IPL. His journey in the IPL has seen him don the jerseys of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Mumbai Indians (MI).

Chahal is also the leading wicket-taker in IPL history. He has been a match-winner with his exceptional leg-spin. Since his debut in 2013, he has consistently troubled batters with his variations and accuracy. Chahal has taken 206 wickets in 164 matches at an economy of 7.88, with a best bowling performance of 5/40.

2. Rashid Khan | 40 Wickets

Rashid Khan has been the standout bowler for Gujarat Titans since their inception. The Afghan leg-spinner, known for his pinpoint accuracy and ability to bowl economical spells, has consistently delivered for the team. Rashid also took 40 IPL wickets since 2023 season.

Overall Rashid has taken 152 wickets in 126 matches. Known for his variations, Rashid has been a consistent performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. He’s one of the most economical bowlers in IPL history boasting an economy of 6.94.

Also Read: IPL Facts: RCB's record at Chinnaswamy since IPL 2023

1. Varun Chakravarthy | 47 Wickets

Varun Chakravarthy has taken the most wickets among spinner in IPL since 2023. He was initially picked by Kings XI Punjab in 2019 for a whopping INR 8.40 crore. KKR bought Chakravarthy for Rs. 4 crore at the 2020 IPL auction. He has since been a vital part of the team's bowling attack. 

The mystery spinner has raced to 47 wickets since 2023. Chakravarthy has been a key spinner for KKR throughout his career, taking 89 wickets in 76 matches. His best bowling figures are 5/20. With an average of 23.90, and an economy of 7.50, he remains a reliable bowler. Notably, he has one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul.

The 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 is back with more excitement and star-studded line-ups to entertain the fans. Famous power-hitting stars like Dinesh Karthik, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Marcus Stoinis are joining in. Rashid Khan and Lockie Ferguson are also there to bring the heat in.

Two New Teams Join the Fight

Earlier, the tournament played 8 teams, which got increased to 10 this year. This season sees two new teams: Bolts Ajman and UP Nawabs. More teams mean more action. The tournament is ready for high energy.

Defending Champs and Returning Teams

The defending champion New York Strikers will be back to protect their title. Apart from the Deccan Gladiators, others like the Northern Warriors and Delhi Bulls will be back in full strength. The Bengal Tigers and Team Abu Dhabi are also ready. Morrisville Samp Army will compete as well. The Chennai Brave Jaguars have a new name. They were formerly called The Chennai Braves.

Player Draft to Finalize Squads

Teams are doing their preparations after being done with their retentions and signings. The big Players Draft happens soon. It’s on October 17 at 6 pm UAE time. Over 400 players are up for grabs. Teams will finalize their lineups after this.

Disney Star will cover the event, airing in English and other languages. The tournament will be played from November 21 to December 2. The final will be played on UAE’s 53rd National Day at Zayed Cricket Stadium. The stadium will host until 2028. 

Team Retentions and signings

New York Strikers
New Signings: Matheesha Pathirana, Donovan Ferreira
Retentions: Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Amir, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hossain, Muhammad Waseem, Muhammad Jawadulla

Deccan Gladiators
New Signings: Jos Buttler, Anrich Nortje, Marcus Stoinis
Retentions: Maheesh Theekshana, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Tom Koher-Cadmore, Zahoor Khan

Delhi Bulls
New Signings: Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Wade
Retentions: Rovman Powell, Muhammad Rohid, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazlahaq Farooqi, James Vince

Team Abu Dhabi
New Signings: Jonny Bairstow, Lockie Ferguson, Shimron Hetmyer, AM Ghazanfar
Retentions: Phil Salt, Noor Ahmad, and Kyle Mayers

Northern Warriors
New Signings: Trent Boult, Finn Allen, Johnson Charles, Sherfane Rutherford, Saqib Mahmood
Retentions: Colin Munro, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ankur Sangwan

Morrisville Samp Army
New Signings: David Willey, Imad Wasim
Retentions: Faf du Plessis, Qais Ahmad, Andries Gous

Bangla Tigers
New Signings: Shakib Al Hasan, Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, Iftikhar Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik
Retentions: Hazratullah Zazai, Dasun Shanaka, Joshua Little

Chennai Brave Jaguars
New Signings: Chris Lynn, Nuwan Thushara, Thisara Perera, Dan Lawrence, and Rassie van der Dussen
Retentions: Aayan Khan, George Munsey, Bhanuka Rajapaksa

UP Nawabs
New Signings: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Dawid Malan, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, and André Fletcher

Bolts Ajman
New Signings: James Neesham, Mujheeb Ur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi, Gulbadin Naib, Haider Ali

Sunrisers Hyderabad will host Gujarat Titans in match no 66 of IPL 2024 on Thursday, 16th May, at the Rajib Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH have won 7 out of 12 they have played so far this season and are sitting at the fourth spot of the points table. The Titans are eighth in the points table with only five victories which is concerning as they were the runners-up last season and won the title in 2022 Indian Premier League title.

The Titans will be desperate to end the season on a positive note while SRH can secure their spot in the playoffs with a victory, so it will be an absolute cracker at Hyderabad. From possible playing XIs to Dream11 team predictions, here is everything you need to know about the SRH vs GT match in IPL 2024.

Read Also: From Gambhir to KL Rahul: Diamond Ducks by Captains in IPL

Match Details

• Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans - IPL 2024

• Date: 16/5/2024

• Time: 7:30 pm

• Venue: Rajib Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

How to watch the SRH vs GT IPL 2024 Match?

The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2024 match will be televised on Star Sports Network. All the Indian Premier League matches will be streamed free on the Jio Cinema app and website.

Pitch & Weather Report

The surface of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is good for batters. Bowlers do get some assistance. The Pacers get some early swing. If the batters spend time on the pitch, they can score the runs comfortably. The dew factor might impact the toss. 76 matches have been played at the venue in the IPL with 43 won by the team chasing.

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Ground Stats (IPL 2023)

• Matches: 7
• Matches won batting first: 4
• Matches won batting second: 3

The temperature will be around 28 degrees Celsius. Humidity of about 68 percent is expected but there is a 40% chance of rain.

SRH vs GT: Head-to-Head Record

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans have faced each other in 4 matches. GT have been the dominant side, winning 3 games while SRH have won only 1.

• Matches played: 4
• Gujarat Titans won: 3
• Sunrisers Hyderabad won: 1
• No result: 0

And so it begins! 🟠🔵#SRHvGT pic.twitter.com/8UFgr4eqld

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 15, 2024

Read Also: ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Squads of Every Team

Team News

Sunrisers Hyderabad

SRH are coming into this game after a dominant victory against LSG. That was a complete performance from Hyderabad and they would like to continue that. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma's opening pair has been one of the most lethal duos of the tournament and they once again delivered as SRH chased the target of 166 inside ten overs without losing any wickets.

Aiden Markram is unavailable, but Nitish Kumar Reddy hasn't disappointed with his batting. Shahbaz Ahmed and Abdul Samad are playing the role of the finisher and have done the job in some matches.

What’s got our 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 & 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 strapped onto the screen here⁉️ 🤔 pic.twitter.com/KznRRqoBLh

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 14, 2024

Heinrich Klaasen has played some match-winning innings this season and would like to replicate that if SRH needs him that way against GT. SRH have been part of many high-scoring games. But, captain Pat Cummins, Bhvneshwar Kumar, and T Natarajan have been very good with the ball in hand.

Some 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 straight out of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🤩 pic.twitter.com/pjBxjhgepN

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 15, 2024

The pacers have scalped wickets and they are in top form. Bhuvi has got his form back and bowling some extraordinary spells in the last few matches.

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat's previous game washed out due to rain. Sai Sudharsan is in brilliant form and he is likely to open with skipper Shubman Gill once again. This is going to be GT's last game of the season and they are out of the playoffs already. But, they would like to end their season on a positive note and make the qualifications for the others more interesting by registering a victory against Hyderabad.

Last game of #TATAIPL2024 calling! 📞#AavaDe | #GTKarshe | #SRHvGT pic.twitter.com/zwaKKa7NkK

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 14, 2024

David Miller, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia will handle the middle order with Matthew Wade on their side. Rashid Khan has always been a trump card for GT. The Afghanistan spin wizard's four overs are always crucial as he can change the course of the game. Although Rashid conceded 38 runs against CSK, he returned with two important wickets. Noor Ahmed has also bowled some critical overs but he isn't consistent.

He didn't have a good game last time but will be desperate to improve. Mohit Sharma finally looked like himself during the clash against Chennai. He scalped three wickets and will try to replicate the same against SRH too. But, it will be a tough pitch to bowl. Umesh Yadav is also expected to feature against Hyderabad and GT will have to bowl well as SRH's batting lineup is too strong.

Possible XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan

Impact players: Mayank Agarwal, Umran Malik, Abhishek Sharma, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar 

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, David Miller, Matthew Wade(wk), Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Kartik Tyagi, Sandeep Warrier

Impact Players: Sharath BR, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, Abhinav Manohar, Sandeep Warrier

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans: Dream XI Team Prediction