Rashid Khan Declines Citizenship Offers from India and Australia
Rashid Khan, the prominent Afghanistan spinner, is currently competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Gujarat Titans. He has recently attracted attention due to significant disclosures in his upcoming book, Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom. Among these revelations, Rashid disclosed that he received offers of citizenship from both India and Australia, both of which he declined.
In the book, scheduled for release soon, Rashid recounted an informal approach made to him during IPL 2023. A senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) discussed the dire situation in Afghanistan and suggested that Rashid could acquire Indian citizenship.
“I received such offers (citizenship and playing) from both Australia and India. But I told them, ‘If I don’t play for my country, I won’t play for any other country either,'” Rashid stated in his book.
He further elaborated on his encounter with the BCCI official: “I went over and greeted him. We started talking, and he said: ‘The situation in your country (Afghanistan) is very bad. Come stay in India. We will give you Indian documents, live here, play cricket here.’ I was surprised by what he was saying and didn’t know how to respond. But I smiled and said, ‘Thank you very much. I am playing for my country, Afghanistan.'”
While Rashid elaborated on the offer from India, he did not provide details regarding the citizenship proposal from Australia.
Currently, Rashid is focused on his performance with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, having regained form after a slow start this season. He has established himself as the most economical bowler for the Titans, allowing only 154 runs in 20 overs while claiming six wickets. Following an initial struggle, Rashid has found his rhythm just as the Titans are experiencing a three-match winning streak.
