IPL 2018: The Secrets behind SRH's defensive excellence

#3 Rashid Khan’s immense comeback

The Afghan spinner, who is currently the best T20 bowler in the world, seemed to have gone into a bit of a tailspin after he was hit for 55 and 49 (in his full quota of 4 overs) in consecutive games against KXIP and CSK respectively. When it seemed Rashid Khan was down and out, he made certain alterations in his bowling and returned in a devastating new avatar. First up, he was bowling a little fuller in those games in which he conceded all those runs and hence, he altered his length.

Against MI he took 2-11 in 4 and bowled more back of a length delivery. That template continued and in addition to that, he cut down on the number of goolies. It was perhaps becoming predictable and hence, the change. He repeated the performance in the defence of 132 against KXIP when he took 3-19. His rejuvenation as a top class spinner has perhaps been one of the biggest reasons why SRH have turned into a low total defending machine.