Rashid Khan has admitted that he made a “huge mistake” rushing back from his back surgery last year, but he has found his rhythm in IPL 2026. He is back to winning games for Gujarat Titans (GT), the latest featuring a four-for against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

After a poor performance in IPL 2025 where he took just nine wickets in 15 games, Rashid has made amends this season where he has 15 wickets in 11 games so far.

“When I had a surgery,” Rashid said, “I took only two months to get back on the field, and that was something that I did in a hurry. I felt that time I made a huge mistake, to be in the centre that soon, but I had to come back for Afghanistan and, and play those games.

“I think last year when IPL was over, I had two-three months totally off, and I tried my best to work on my fitness, and most importantly, my back, to be back on. I think the rhythm, I go through the crease, I think that was something I was missing. After that, I had a good time in the centre and I had a good 100-ball competition and then just kept on.”

And so it did in Jaipur. GT had taken three wickets by the time Rashid came on to bowl in the seventh over. He knew there was some purchase in the wicket. However, RR had made 86 at a run rate of 12.28. Rashid had two batters bowled in his first over. He rushed Dhruv Jurel, who had got off to a flier, and then bamboozled Donovan Ferreira with a legbreak. The 230-run chase never recovered.

“Yeah, the moment I bowled the first ball, I knew that there is something for me, but it’s just about making sure you mix it up in the pace. I was trying to mix it up and hit the right area consistently, and don’t leave the stumps. I feel like if I leave the stumps, it becomes easier for the batter to take a single or hit it for a boundary, but the most important part was, for me, that, yes, I want to hit the length, but more important it’s the line, and it should be on those three stumps.”

There was particular threat to the stumps when he bowled to Ferreira, who was new to the crease. Rashid predicted what would happen and then delivered.

“Yeah, I had that in my mind. I made that movie in my mind before that. I feel like if I pitched it in the right area, there is some help, and I can get that wicket. So as soon as it went from my hand, I knew it’s going to come.”

Rashid finished with the wickets of Shubham Dubey and Ravindra Jadeja to finish with 4 for 33 and seal GT’s 77-run win.