Matthew Wade struggles in return to IPL as Rashid Khan heroics lights up cricket world

Aussie cricket star Matthew Wade has failed to fire in his return to the Indian Premier League even if he would have been pleased to see Rashid Khan spin his team to victory after a masterful display. Adelaide Strikers' fans are well accustomed to watching Khan perform amazing feats with both the bat and the ball in Australia and the Titans crowd got to witness his white-ball mastery against the Royals.

Khan was economical with the ball on a batting wicket having finished with figures of 1-18 off four overs with the Royals only losing three wickets in reaching 196. Unfortunately, Wade dropped two catches off Khan's bowling in a tough night for the Aussie. The Titans started their epic run-cash brilliantly with Shubnam Gill firing for 72 runs off 44 balls.

However, the Titans suffered a number of quick wickets with Wade falling for just four runs. At 4-111 the Titans were stumbling and Khan came in at 6-157. And the Afghan superstar need to accelerate. The match wernt down to the wire after Rahul Tewatia was run out with two balls left.

The Titans needed two runs off the last ball and Khan managed to cut the ball to the boundary to secure the win for the Titans in a thrilling finish. Khan ended up blasting 24 off 11 balls to finish with the player-of-the-match award.

The 25-year-old missed the recent BBL season because of back surgery and had been struggling to find his form. And while Khan was thrilled with his batting performance, the spinner was more pleased with his bowling figures having felt out of rhythm in recent performances.

"I've been struggling a bit with my bowling and was happy to hit the right areas again today," Rashid said. "That made me happier and gave me energy in my batting. It's really hard coming back after four months, but it's all good now." Fans were full of praise for Khan and his return to form after a tough injury setback.

Matthew Wade struggles in Indian Premier League return

While Wade took a brilliant catch to start the innings, he didn't enjoy the best night with the gloves having put down two fine edges off Rashid's bowling. Unfortunately, dropping Riyan Parag on zero and six cost the Titans after the batter blasted 76 off 48 balls, including five sixes.

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Fellow Aussie Spencer Johnson started his spell in great form, before Sanju Samson blasting the quick for 16 off his third over. Johnson managed to recover only conceding 37 in all in his four wicketless overs.