Once a self-proclaimed fan of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), leg-spinner Rishad Hossain now stands on the verge of fulfilling his IPL dreams. However, his admiration for KKR isn’t because of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the team’s owner. Instead, it’s the legacy of two Bangladeshi stars, Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das, who once donned the KKR jersey, that made him a fan of the franchise.

This year, Rishad enters the IPL mega auction with heightened anticipation, but the young spinner is keeping his expectations in check.

Rishad Hossain is fully aware of the challenges Bangladeshi cricketers face in securing IPL contracts. He prefers a pragmatic approach, as he doesn’t want high expectations to lead to disappointment.

“Everyone has dreams, but it’s not good to expect too much. I never set high expectations, so I don’t feel the pain if things don’t go my way,” said Rishad.

The IPL auction is set for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah. During this period, Rishad plans to stay calm and leave things to fate.

“I try not to overthink such things, whether it’s the IPL auction or the BPL draft. I aim to stay normal. Everything is in Allah’s hands; let’s see what happens,” Rishad added.

While he avoids setting lofty goals, Rishad is confident about his ability to perform in Indian conditions if given the chance.
“I trust myself. Everyone has good and bad days. I’m not building big hopes, but when the time comes, I’ll try to make the most of it,” he said.

Although Rishad doesn’t have a specific preference for which IPL team he’d like to join, Kolkata Knight Riders hold a special place in his heart.
“I haven’t thought about any particular team. I could wish for Chennai but end up in another team, which might disappoint me. But KKR is my favorite. Not because of Shah Rukh Khan, but because Shakib bhai and Litton bhai played for them,” Rishad explained.

The IPL auction for the 2024 season will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, with players from across the globe vying for a spot in the world’s most lucrative cricket league.