World Cup 2019: Mujeeb to utilise bowling tips got from Ashwin during IPL

Mujeeb may have had a disheartening IPL season but he is looking forward to work on the tips he got from Kings XI Punjab skipper and veteran Indian spinner R Ashwin

Injury and poor form made it a forgettable IPL for Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman but the time away from the field was well spent as he picked on Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin's brain ahead of the World Cup in England. A shoulder injury meant that the 18-year-old wasn't at his best during the cash-rich league, getting only three wickets in five games with an expensive economy rate of 10.05 runs per over. “I have learnt a lot having spent quality time with Ravichandran Ashwin in the KXIP set-up. He has given me a lot of useful tips and I am sure that I will execute those plans in the World Cup. During this edition of IPL, my shoulder injury was an issue. But now I am fully fit for the World Cup,” Mujeeb said. While he hasn't played many matches this year, the best part about IPL according to Mujeeb has the opportunity to bowl at some of the prospective World Cup opponents. “The IPL schedule is so hectic and you are travelling a lot. It's not that you get a lot of chance to talk about the game. But since you get a chance to bowl in matches where there are batsmen who will be there in the World Cup, it helps a lot,” said the Afghan teenager. Asked if he faced the second season blues, something which was evident when he went for 66 runs in his four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mujeeb said it was part and parcel of cricket. “You will have a few bad days and it's just that you have to be consistent with your line and length,” Mujeeb said.