Rishad hopes to play for Kolkata Knight Riders

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has revealed his admiration for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, set to take place on 24 and 25 November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Among the 12 Bangladeshi players listed for the auction, Rishad expressed his desire to play for KKR, a franchise previously represented by Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das.

"I usually like Kolkata Knight Riders because Shakib Bhai (Shakib Al Hasan) and Liton Da (Liton Das) have played there," Rishad shared after Rangpur Riders' practice session at Mirpur's Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday. 

Despite his preference, he stressed the importance of keeping expectations realistic, adding, "Everyone dreams of playing in the IPL, but it's important not to expect too much. I try not to pin too many hopes on anything, as it helps me avoid disappointment."

Staying grounded ahead of the auction

Rishad, listed with a base price of 7.5 million INR, remains optimistic about his chances in the auction but is careful not to let the excitement affect his mindset.

"I'm confident about performing well in the IPL. Everyone has good and bad days, but I prefer to take things as they come and make decisions based on the situation. I don't have specific expectations about any team. For example, if I hope to be picked by Chennai and another team takes me, I might feel bad. That's why I avoid thinking that way," he explained.

Rishad's level-headed approach extends to other aspects of his career. "I don't overthink the BPL draft either. I focus on staying calm because everything is ultimately in Allah's hands. Whatever happens, will happen," he noted.

Balancing commitments with ambitions

Rishad is currently training with Rangpur Riders ahead of their participation in the Global Super League. While his focus is on representing the team on the world stage, he acknowledges the importance of the upcoming IPL auction.

"Of course, I have hopes, but I try not to expect too much so that I don't get disappointed. I take a normal approach. Let's see what happens," he said after a training session.

Despite his measured outlook, Rishad is confident about his abilities. "I trust myself. Good days and bad days happen to everyone, but I'll be ready to face whatever comes my way," he added.

Gearing up for global challenges

Rishad views the Global Super League as a platform to showcase his talent and open doors to other franchise tournaments worldwide. "I'm not setting long-term targets. My aim is to take it match by match and stick to basic plans. Since we're up against four teams with different styles, I'll focus on adapting and giving my best," he explained.

Since the World Cup, Rishad has been refining his skills, particularly in variations and line and length. "I've made some adjustments and focused on specific areas of my game. Hopefully, this will translate into good performances in upcoming series," he noted.

Last year, Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player picked, joining Chennai Super Kings, where he took 14 wickets in nine matches with an economy rate of 9.26.

As the auction date approaches, Rishad remains focused on his immediate goals with Rangpur Riders but keeps his IPL aspirations close to heart, particularly his dream of wearing the KKR jersey. Whether or not his dream comes true, Rishad's commitment to self-improvement and adaptability makes him a promising talent for any team.