Rashid Khan has disclosed that he declined informal offers of Indian citizenship, stating his commitment to representing Afghanistan remains unchanged despite opportunities to switch allegiance. The revelation, documented in the book Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, comes alongside his ongoing participation in IPL 2026 with Gujarat Titans, where he continues to contribute with the ball. Recalling the interaction, Rashid wrote, “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.” He further added, “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.” IPL context and recent performances The disclosure coincides with Rashid’s steady form in IPL 2026. Across five matches, he has taken six wickets at an average of 25.67, maintaining an economy rate of 7.70. His most impactful outing came against Delhi Capitals, where he registered figures of 3/17 in four overs, reinforcing his role as a controlling force in the middle overs. In the fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 17, Rashid returned 1/44, including the wicket of Cameron Green on the final ball. He also led Gujarat Titans in one match during the season in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, reflecting his extended responsibilities within the squad. Read also: Ajinkya Rahane sets unwanted IPL duck record as KKR struggles continue Background and continued stance A similar narrative had emerged earlier during the 2018 IPL season when Rashid’s performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad prompted public calls in India for citizenship. Responding to those discussions, then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj clarified that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs. At the time, former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani described Rashid as a national asset, reinforcing his importance to Afghan cricket. Rashid later acknowledged the support and reiterated his stance on representing Afghanistan. Alongside his on-field commitments, Rashid also announced the birth of his son in April 2026, marking a significant personal milestone during the tournament.