NEW DELHI: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has dismissed talk of his effectiveness waning, asserting that his success heading into next month's ICC T20 World Cup will hinge on accuracy and execution rather than wholesale changes to his game.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential leg-spinners in modern T20 cricket, Rashid has transformed how the role is perceived over the past decade. However, relatively lean spells during his last two IPL campaigns with Gujarat Titans sparked chatter that batters may have begun to read him more easily.

Rashid, though, remains unfazed, backing his control and clarity over the need for reinvention as Afghanistan prepare for the global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka.

"Well, I feel like it's not about like I should be changing my variation or the line and length...things like that," Rashid told PTI Videos in an interaction facilitated by Red Bull.

Dip in IPL form

Rashid's recent IPL figures reflect a clear downturn after a long spell of dominance at the top level.

Having been among the standout bowlers in 2023 with 27 wickets from 17 games to finish second in the Purple Cap race, his returns dipped sharply the following season. In 2024, he managed just 10 wickets in 12 appearances, before slipping further to nine scalps across 15 matches in 2025, a phase that also saw his economy rate rise beyond nine an over.

Despite the numbers, the Afghanistan captain maintained that T20 cricket is decided by fine margins, stressing that consistency in execution, rather than drastic change, remains the key to success in the format.

"...I miss my line a little bit, which I used to be very good at earlier. There is nothing much to worry about...Whenever I miss my line and length, I give runs, that's the only thing I believe," the Afghan skipper added.

What really matters, explains Rashid

Rashid said predictability is often misunderstood, pointing out that elite bowlers succeed because of precision rather than mystery. The World Cup starts February 7 and Afghanistan are placed in group D alongside Nepal, Scotland West Indies and UAE.

"There are lots of bowlers about whom people know what they're going to do, but still they're getting out to them," he said.

"If someone is like Mitch (Mitchell Starc) usually bowls an in-swinger with the new ball, everyone knows but he still gets you out. He only gets you out because he hits the right area consistently and that what matters," he added.

"And I feel like for me also, it's about hitting that area. Even if the batter knows me well, still it's going to be difficult."

Familiarity with Indian conditions could work in Afghanistan's favour

Afghanistan head into the World Cup on the back of a convincing 2-1 T20I series win over West Indies, a result Rashid said has reinforced belief within the squad.

"...there's good preparation and I think everyone is doing great. Batting-wise, fielding, I think bowling, everything is going well...And hopefully we'll have a good World Cup," Rashid added.

With the tournament scheduled across India and Sri Lanka, Rashid believes familiarity with conditions could work in Afghanistan's favour.

Several players, including Rashid, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, have extensive experience bowling in India.

"All the top players have played a lot of cricket in India and everyone is quite used to the condition," Rashid said.

But he stressed that reputation alone will not carry the team forward.

"You can have the best bowling unit, but still you have to bring up your best game into the match and keep hitting the right area consistently," he said.

"For us, for four spinners Nabi, Mujeeb, Noor and me, it's about keeping things simple and not putting pressure on ourselves," Rashid added.

Rashid's mantra to success

Afghanistan's historic semi-final appearance in the last edition of the T20 World Cup was built on the same philosophy, Rashid said.

"We never had expectations in mind. We only focused on doing our best on the field. Going into the semi-final was a great achievement for us, we only gave our 100 per cent on the ground and rest was left to be seen on the field itself.

"I feel like the same mentality will be this year as well. Let's just keep things out of our minds and just focus on what we can do the best on the field, what the team requires and what conditions require."

Rashid also spoke about learning from Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill, whose calmness under pressure left a strong impression on him.

"He's someone who has been involved in the tougher cricket...When you are the red-ball captain and playing for India and against tough opposition in different conditions, that's the kind of experience you can get from him."

(With PTI Inputs)