While the batting efforts in SRH's win were led by Jonny Bairstow, David Warner and Kane Williamson; Afghanistan's leg spinner Rashid Khan was once again the hero with the ball for the 'Orange Army'.
Rashid cast a web around the Delhi Capitals top order batsmen to return with game changing figures of 3 for 14 in his four overs. Rashid struck a big blow in his very first over when he dismissed DC skipper Shreyas Iyer and then went onto send Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant back to the pavilion. He not only took wickets at regular intervals but also choked the opposition for runs bowling a very tight line.
Amidst a sense of jubilation and triumph in the SRH dugout after their season opening win, Man of the Match Rashid Khan was quite emotional as he walked into the post match ceremony.
Rashid comes into the IPL on the back of a turbulent time on his personal front. The ace leggie lost both his parents in a span of two years. While his father passed away last year, his mother died a few months back.
Rashid could not hold back his emotions as he fondly remembered his mother who he claimed to be a big fan of his cricket. The leg spinner added that he used to have chats through the night with his mother when he won games for his franchise in the IPL.
"Tough one and a half years for me, first my dad expired and then my mom three-fours months ago. And it took a bit of time for me to come back. My mom was my biggest fan, especially in the IPL and when I was the MoM, she would always talk to me through the night," said Rashid.
SRH's strike weapon with the ball returned to his best against Delhi Capitals after two lacklusture performances in the opening losses for his franchise. Rashid said that he had full support from his skipper David Warner as the Australian backed him to do the job with the ball. Rashid added that he tried to put in his best every game, enjoy his time on the field and does not apply too much pressure on himself.
"I don't put pressure on myself that I have to create an impact. I just keep myself calm and composed and focus on what I can do. I just go out there and do the basics right and enjoy the game. I bowled quicker today, when I started and bowled my first ball, I realized it. You need two, three balls to know what the right pace is.
"In these conditions, you need to bowl back of a length to the batsmen. Warner always backs me and tells me that you know what's best for the team. Only when things aren't going my way I go and ask the captain what to do. That's what we discuss on the field," he said.