Gujarat Titans vice-captain, Rashid Khan, will interact with fans in The Metaverse on Thursday (April 28) at 19:30 IST.
This is the second fan interaction the Gujarat Titans will conduct, following Shubman Gill’s appearance on the virtual reality platform two weeks ago.
Commenting on the development, the ace spinner said: “We are delighted to see the fans back in the stadiums in recent times. However, with the protocols and bubbles in place, our interactions have been restricted. Through The Metaverse, I am excited to meet our Gujarat Titans family and interact with them.”
“I invite our fans to join us for this session and experience our Locker Room,” added the Afghan cricketer.
On the other hand, sissuing a statement, the franchise said: “The fans can join the interaction at 19:30 IST by clicking here. To access the Locker Room, fans must download the Spatial App on their mobile phones, laptop or virtual reality devices. The first 45 people to enter the room will get a chance to interact with Gujarat Titans’ vice-captain Rashid Khan.”
Meanwhile, Arvinder Singh, COO Gujarat Titans, said: “On April 15, we introduced Shubman to The Metaverse and were happy to meet the fans on a new platform. Rashid has won over fans not only with his cricketing skills but also with his humility and warmth.”
“I am sure the fans and Rashid will bond during this session and this will further strengthen the Gujarat Titans family,” added he.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, courtesy a brilliant batting effort by Rahul Tewatia and Rashid.
Chasing a massive target of 196, Gujarat started on a decent note as openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha added 69 runs for the opening wicket however, before the pair could go further, SRH’s bowling sensation Umran Malik destroyed the GT batting order with his fiery pace.
Notably, Malik went on to take a sensational five-wicket haul and kept Sunrisers’ in the match till a long time.
It seemed as the match was slipping out of Gujarat as the Hardik Pandya-;ed side was reeling at 140/5 in 16 overs before Tewatia and Rashid pulled out a miraculous effort to steer their side home.
While Tewatia played an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls, Rashid played a 11-ball 31 run cameo as Gujarat registered a five wicket win.
Rashid’s cameo was decorated with four might hits into the stand.
Speaking after the match, the Agfhan said: “Feels good, to go there and have that self belief and keep my shape stronger and hit it. Happy to deliver against them (SRH), just trying to play my game and have that belief on my batting which I’m working from the last two years. When it was 22 left. I just told Tewatia that we have given 25 in the last over with one of our best bowler bowling and I told him that we needed to have that belief and not panic, anything is possible. Just stay there, keep your shape and hit it strong and that was the plan (with Tewatia).”
“I have bowled 4-5 bad deliveries which have been punished and that is something I had in my mind, you can’t miss your line and length on a wicket like this. It was a good wicket to bat on, but still we did well to restrict them to 196. As I said, I have’t bowled as well as I would have liked, this is good for my learning and will try my best not to repeat in the next games,” he added.
The ace Afghan spinner further expressed: “It has been very calm and cool since day one and it’s a great team to be part of and everyone knows the responsibility and respect each other which is a very good thing. We have been given very positive energy from the captain on and off the field and specially our head coach Ashish bhai has kept the team in a beautiful environment.”
“We are enjoying each other’s company and trying to give our hundred percent. So happy to win and these two points really helps the team in the end and lucky to be in the right side,” he signed off.