IPL 2026: Rashid Khan Offered Indian Citizenship? Gujarat Titans Star Reveals Stunning Details Of Conversation With ‘Senior Figure’ In Indian Cricket

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Afghanistan spinner and former T20I captain Rashid Khan has made a stunning revelation in one of the recent books released amid the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The star wrist-spinner has disclosed that a ‘senior figure’ in the Indian cricket establishment offered him an Indian citizenship and requested him to play cricket here, given the volatile situation in Afghanistan.

IPL 2026: Did Rashid Khan accept the Indian citizenship?

Having first represented an IPL franchise in the SunRisers Hyderabad, Rashid has arguably risen to become one of the most famous cricketers in India. Rashid, who has 164 scalps in IPL, also played an integral role in Gujarat Titans’ title win in 2022. Keeping in mind his exploits in international cricket and IPL, the youngster has earned considerable fan following in India.

In the book, Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, the 27-year-old was quoted as saying:

“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. 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,” he wrote in the book.”

How has Rashid Khan performed in IPL 2026 so far?

Having been part of the Titans since the 2022 edition, the leg-spinner has performed well in the ongoing season, bagging six wickets in as many matches. He received the Player of the Match performance for a haul of 4-0-17-3 when the Titans held their nerve to clinch a one-run win against the Capitals.

Having won three games on the trot, the Titans will next face the Mumbai Indians at home on April 20, Monday. The Mumbai Indians are currently reeling at the bottom of the table with one victory in four games.