Once Feared, Now Figured; Rashid Khan Caught In Crossfire Of Form, Fatigue And Familiarity

Rashid Khan's form has dipped in IPL [Source: @onlycricket__/x.com]

There was a time when just the sight of Rashid Khan marking his run-up was enough to make IPL batters sweat. Wristy, persistent and unrelenting, he was the go-to match-winner for Sunrisers Hyderabad and later Gujarat Titans, bowling with the accuracy of a Swiss watch and the menace of a strike pacer.

But in the present, the Afghan superstar isn’t the same force. The numbers speak loud and clear: Rashid Khan’s impact in the IPL has dipped drastically since 2024 and it’s more than just a lean patch. It is a worrying trend for fans and franchise alike.

Let’s analyze Rashid Khan’s IPL stats and his decline in form.

Rashid Khan In IPL 2017–2023

Analysis

For seven straight seasons, Rashid Khan was the gold standard for T20 bowling. His economy hovered below 7, he consistently averaged 17–22 and he kept boundaries to a minimum. His dot ball percentage was over 40%, which is elite in T20s.

Even in 2023, with an economy of 8.24, the highest of his career at that point, he still took 27 wickets and showed that he remained a genuine wicket-taking threat.

Rashid Khan In IPL 2024–2025

Analysis

The post-2023 numbers are shockingly poor by Rashid’s lofty standards. The drop in wicket-taking ability is glaring with only 11 wickets in 16 matches. That is less than one per game. His economy rate has shot up to 8.84, and the average? A staggering 46.4.

Even more telling is the strike rate, once hovering around 19, is now a painful 31.5. Batters are not only surviving Rashid, they are milking him.

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Comparison

• Wickets down from 1.27 per game to 0.68
• Economy up from 6.67 to 8.84
• Strike rate jumped from 18.7 to 31.5
• Dot ball % dropped by 8%

A Tale of Two Concerns

1. He Is No Longer the Wicket-Taker He Was

Rashid Khan’s biggest strength wasn’t just containment. It was picking up wickets at key moments. From 2017–2023, he consistently broke partnerships, often against the run of play. Now, that spark is missing. 

His variations don’t seem to carry the same venom and his ability to deceive batters has dulled. They aren’t afraid of him anymore. They are picking him off. In 2023, he took a wicket every 14.9 balls. In 2025 so far? Once every 84 balls. That’s shocking.

2. He Is Getting Tonked

Once upon a time, Rashid’s overs were quiet. Four runs, maybe a single boundary. Now, batters are taking him on early, refusing to let him settle.

He has already conceded 31 sixes in 16 matches since 2024 , that is nearly two sixes per game, compared to one every match in his golden run. His dot ball percentage has also dipped to just 32.4%, down from the high 40s in his prime years.

When your job is to choke the run flow and grab wickets and you’re neither choking nor grabbing, the alarm bells start ringing.

What’s Behind the Downfall?

Overexposure Has Made Him Predictable

Rashid Khan plays T20 cricket all year, in every league imaginable IPL, BBL, CPL, The Hundred, ILT20 and more. Bowlers thrive on surprise. 

But when batters have faced you in different leagues and watched hundreds of hours of your deliveries, your mystery starts fading. He is still bowling well but he is no longer unreadable.

The Injury Pile-Up

You can’t ignore the wear and tear. Rashid has played non-stop T20 cricket for years. Eventually, the body says enough. Here is the timeline of Rashid Khan’s injuries in recent times.

• Back surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup kept him out for 4 months
• Hamstring pull in The Hundred (2024)
• Back issue again in August 2024
• Groin strain before the NZ Test (2024)
• Hamstring injury vs South Africa (Sept 2024)

That is five separate injuries in less than a year. It is not just about match fitness. It is about rhythm, confidence and momentum. And Rashid hasn’t had any of those lately.

Bowling four overs at full tilt when your back is creaking and your hamstring’s twitching? Not easy. Especially in a format that demands you be on the button from ball one.

The Harsh Reality

Rashid Khan’s current stats are a far cry from the legend he built between 2017 and 2023. He is leaking runs, the wickets have dried up and the aura has faded.

Cricket is a cruel game. You are only as good as your last few overs. And right now, Rashid’s recent spells are writing a worrying story.

Is There a Way Back?

Of course. If anyone can bounce back, it’s Rashid. He is still only 26, experienced and fiercely competitive. But he will need to manage his workload, reinvent his variations and probably take a break from year-round franchise cricket to focus on longevity.

Because right now, the man who once turned games on their head with a flick of his wrist, is finding himself on the receiving end of it.

The king of control is being challenged like never before. Will Rashid Khan find his second wind or has the game finally caught up to him?

Only time will tell!

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