Rashid Khan signals retirement from red-ball cricket during IPL 2026 due to a long-term back injury. The Afghanistan star spinner plans to focus on ODIs and T20s to extend his career.
Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan has surprised cricket fans by signaling that he may step away from red-ball cricket. The leg-spinner said he wants to focus more on white-ball formats such as ODIs and T20s in order to manage his long-term back problem and extend his playing career.
The development came during IPL 2026, where Rashid once again showed his value as a match-winning bowler in the shorter format.
Back Injury Continues to Influence Rashid Khan’s Career
Rashid Khan has been dealing with a chronic lower back problem for several years. The injury became serious enough that he had to undergo surgery after the 2023 Cricket World Cup held in India.
After recovering, he returned to international and franchise cricket in 2024. Since then, he has continued to play in multiple T20 leagues around the world while also leading Afghanistan in international cricket.
Recently, during IPL 2026, Rashid delivered an impressive spell in a match against Delhi Capitals. After the game, he explained that his back condition still requires careful management and has played a major role in his decision to rethink his future in red-ball cricket.
Rashid Khan’s Test Career and Afghanistan’s Red-Ball Journey
Afghanistan began playing Test cricket in 2018. However, the team does not play as many Test matches as the major cricketing nations because their schedule in the longer format is limited.
Even with fewer matches, Rashid Khan has been one of Afghanistan’s most important players in Test cricket.
Rashid Khan Test Career Overview
| Format | Matches | Key Role |
|---|---|---|
| Test Cricket | Limited appearances | Leading spinner for Afghanistan |
| ODIs | Regular player | Key wicket-taker and match controller |
| T20Is | Regular player | One of the world’s top T20 bowlers |
Despite his success in Tests, Rashid explained that continuing in the format may not be the best decision for his health.
Doctor’s Advice Played a Major Role
After his surgery, Rashid Khan received clear medical advice regarding his future workload. Doctors warned him that red-ball cricket, which requires long spells of bowling, could put too much strain on his back.
He revealed that during his return to Test cricket after surgery, he once bowled 67 overs in a single match. Such heavy workloads raised concerns for his medical team.
The experience made him reconsider how much red-ball cricket he should play in the future.
White-Ball Cricket Becomes Rashid’s Priority
Rashid Khan said his main focus now will be on white-ball formats. These formats allow him to manage his bowling workload better while still contributing strongly for Afghanistan.
He expressed special interest in continuing to play ODI cricket for a long time.
Rashid Khan’s White-Ball Strengths
| Format | Strength |
|---|---|
| ODI Cricket | Control in middle overs and wicket-taking ability |
| T20 Cricket | One of the most economical and dangerous bowlers in the world |
| Franchise Leagues | Regular match-winner in global tournaments |
Rashid also plans to be careful about the number of matches he plays so that he can keep his body fit for many more years.
Read Also: Rashid Khan IPL 2026 Price, Team, Career Stats, Records
Possible ODI Series Against India in 2026
Looking ahead to the international calendar, Afghanistan is expected to tour India for an ODI series in 2026.
Rashid Khan hinted that he hopes to be part of that squad if his fitness remains good. However, he also said he will carefully manage his playing schedule to avoid putting too much pressure on his back.
Uncertain Future in Test Cricket
There is discussion about a possible one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan in June 2026 in New Chandigarh.
Rashid did not completely rule out playing such a match but suggested that frequent Test cricket is unlikely to be part of his plans. He said he might consider playing one Test match per year if the workload is manageable.
One of the reasons behind this decision is the heavy bowling load he carried in his last two Tests.
Rashid Khan’s Heavy Test Workload
| Match Period | Overs Bowled |
|---|---|
| Test Match Return Game | 67 overs |
| Two Tests Combined | 126 overs |
For a bowler recovering from a back surgery, such workloads can be risky.
Rashid Khan remains the most influential player in Afghanistan cricket, especially in limited-overs formats. His decision to step back from regular Test cricket does not mean the end of his international career.
Instead, it reflects a long-term strategy to remain effective in formats where he can contribute the most.
Fans can still expect to see Rashid leading Afghanistan’s bowling attack in ODIs and T20s for many years. His presence in franchise leagues like the IPL will also continue to make him one of the most valuable players in global T20 cricket.
By focusing on white-ball cricket and carefully managing his fitness, Rashid Khan hopes to extend his career and continue delivering match-winning performances for both Afghanistan and his franchise teams around the world.
