Rashid Khan and Jay Shah (Source: AP and AFP)
Rashid Khan is one such player who is loved in India and has been admired by the country for a long time now for his on-field performance. The star Afghan player also shares a good, cordial bond with several Indian players and has been part of the Indian Premier League for several years.
The 27-year-old, who is currently representing the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, has claimed that he once received informal offers of citizenship from both India and Australia, along with opportunities to play cricket for them.
The claim has sparked widespread discussion, especially regarding whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could take action against the player for publicly sharing such sensitive information.
Rashid Khan wants to switch to India?
In his book, Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, he clearly stated that he never considered leaving Afghanistan despite the offers. He revealed that during the IPL 2023 season, while playing for the Gujarat Titans, he was approached indirectly by a senior figure linked to Indian cricket.
According to Rashid, a team official arranged a meeting with a high-ranking official who suggested his move to India, promising him citizenship, residence, and the chance to represent the Indian team.
He wrote that he declined the offer, saying he was committed to playing for Afghanistan and would not represent any other country. Rashid also mentioned receiving a similar approach from Australia, though he did not elaborate much on that interaction.
Also Read: International Team Grants Citizenship To 5 Players Amid Rashid Khan's BCCI Leak
"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 is quoted as saying in the book.
"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,'" Rashid recalled.
Can BCCI Punish Rashid Khan?
The big question now is whether the BCCI can take any action against Rashid Khan for making these claims public. While there is no clearly defined rule that directly addresses such disclosures, the matter could still be sensitive because it involves the reputation of the BCCI.
- The BCCI has the authority to seek clarification from Rashid and may ask him to provide evidence supporting his claims. If the board believes its image has been harmed, it could explore legal options or even consider disciplinary action.
- In extreme scenarios, the BCCI also has the power to impose restrictions, including a possible ban from the IPL. However, such steps would likely require substantial proof and justification.
- As of now, there has been no official response or action taken by the BCCI.
Rashid Khan's performance in IPL 2026
Rashid Khan, after a relatively difficult IPL 2025 season, appears to be regaining his rhythm in IPL 2026.
So far, he has played five matches and picked up six wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.70. His standout performance came against the Delhi Capitals, where he delivered a match-winning spell of 3 wickets for just 17 runs in four overs.
The Gujarat Titans have had a mixed start to the IPL 2026 season. Currently, GT sit sixth on the points table with three wins from five matches. Gujarat will next host the Mumbai Indians on April 20, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Also Read: IPL 2026: GT vs MI Prediction, Match 30- Who Will Win Today?
.jpg?type=mq "MS Dhoni To Miss IPL's El-Classico MI vs CSK")
