Rashid Khan’s Dominance Questioned by Anil Kumble Ahead of IPL 2026

The once-unassailable reputation of T20 sensation Rashid Khan is facing new scrutiny, with legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble suggesting his ‘novelty’ has faded. Kumble, speaking on JioStar prior to IPL 2026, stated that Rashid is no longer the overwhelmingly intimidating force he once was. Kumble’s remarks stem from Rashid’s statistically poorer IPL 2025 campaign for Gujarat Titans. He managed only nine wickets and proved expensive, conceding 33 sixes. This downturn signifies a shift from his early career, where he was a consistent game-changer for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. The former Indian captain theorizes that increased familiarity with Rashid’s bowling arsenal has allowed batsmen to adapt. He also highlighted the need for other bowlers in the Gujarat Titans squad, such as R Sai Kishore, Washington Sundar, and Rahul Tewatia, to step up their performance in the upcoming season. Kumble also advised careful management of Rashid’s bowling responsibilities.