Shahrukh Khan has carved a glorious reputation on the back of fantastic performances for Tamil Nadu.
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As Nicholas Pooran walked back to the pavilion for a duck in the IPL 2021 league encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Punjab Kings (PBKS) scoreboard was hardly a pretty picture painted. The Punjab-based franchise seemed in deep trouble, having been reduced to 19/4 in 5 overs. The new player at the crease was playing his second-ever match in the Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK fans could have hardly imagined a more favourable scenario considering their abysmal performance in the 2020 edition. However, the batsman was hardly a novice as they soon realised following an entertaining 47 runs off 36 deliveries, in an innings comprising of four boundaries and two sixes. A game-changing performance of this magnitude was hardly a surprise considering the association with a man widely hailed as the ‘Badshah of Bollywood’. The player was none other than Tamil Nadu superstar Shahrukh Khan. Shahrukh finished as the Punjab Kings’ top run-getter, helping the franchise finish with a defendable total.
While the team recorded a defeat by a margin of six wickets in the encounter, the all-rounder’s exploits on the pitch grabbed the limelight. While some hailed his immense confidence and desire to back himself despite playing his second game in the IPL, others praised the determination to excel in a situation where the likes of KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran had perished cheaply.
Shahrukh hardly needed any motivation going into the game, considering the opportunity to impress ‘idol’ MS Dhoni who was leading the Chennai-based franchise. Dhoni duly recognised his talent and capabilities, gracing the cricketer with a “lot of insights” about his batting.
“MS Dhoni spoke to me. I had a chat after the CSK game, he gave me a lot of insights about my batting. It felt very nice speaking to him, I look at him as a cricketer, person and just sitting next to him and talking to him is special,” he had said in an earlier interaction with Sportskeeda.
Shahrukh further elaborated on the encounter, praising the veteran for making him feel extremely comfortable.
“It was great interacting with MS Dhoni. He took out time and provided responses to questions asked about my game in a very beautiful manner. It seemed like he really cared about my queries. I felt extremely comfortable. There are no words that I can use to share my emotions after our conversation. We had a long interaction, and the fact that he took out so much time for the discussion indicated that he really saw something in me,” he said in an exclusive chat to sportslumo.com.
Shahrukh is a finisher who backs himself to single-handedly lead the team on to a triumph, even in the toughest of circumstances. He remains confident even if the game stretches on to the last over or final delivery, mentally charting out plans based on the bowler and conditions.
These attributes have been developed after closely tracking the legendary wicket-keeper batsman, who carved a glorious reputation on the back of his heroics.
“My gameplay as a finisher is definitely influenced by MS Dhoni. I really look up to him. Have been trying to learn as much as possible from the legend. My friend used to sit with me and watch matches, where we closely noted Dhoni’s strategies. We tried to understand his mindset from the bowlers he looked to attack, as well as the overs in which he looked to adapt his approach. I am really comfortable as a finisher and relish an opportunity to help the team emerge victorious under pressure. The confidence you gain from getting the side across the line is at another level altogether.”
One of Dhoni’s most significant achievements is the triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup which was played in South Africa.
“I watched the World Cup at home. Distinctly remember the group stage encounter against Pakistan, that ended in a bowl-out. It was impressive to witness the manner in which Dhoni remained calm till the end as a leader, helping the team prevail. Another memory would certainly be Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over against England.”
The legendary cricketer has retired from international cricket, with a dearth of players comfortable in the role of a finisher at his level. Former Australian batsman Ricky Ponting recently termed the absence of a cricketer capable of getting the job done and dusted in a manner similar to MS Dhoni, as an area of concern going into the upcoming T20 World Cup for his team. Shahrukh could well emerge as a suitable successor to Dhoni in the near future, considering his ability to switch gears as per the situation.
“My role is playing down the order as a finisher but you don’t expect to go out and blast in every game because there will be situations where the team bundles out and you need to take responsibility and see the team through,” he had said at the post-match press conference following the IPL 2021 league encounter against CSK.
“I’m branded as a complete finisher. I am a good batsman, I was batting up the order for Tamil Nadu for a couple of years. So, I’ve been batting at the top order. I’ve the skill in me to bat and see the team through in tough situations. I think I’ve really developed my game as a finisher in the last couple of years but still, my core game is still with me- See the ball and play normal cricketing shots,” added Shahrukh.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer was signed for Rs 5.25 crore, with PBKS owner Preity Zinta leaning back in her chair and shouting out: “We’ve got Shahrukh” in a triumphant manner at the Kolkata Knight Riders table. Shahrukh termed her reaction as one that made him happy.
The excitement was certainly well deserved considering the excellent performances by the all-rounder over the last two years. He was included in the Tamil Nadu Vijay Hazare Trophy squad last season as a cover for Murali Vijay. The all-rounder grabbed the opportunity with both hands, going on to develop a glorious reputation as a game-changer in the limited-overs format.
Shahrukh’s supreme talent was visible in the team’s victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali campaign in the recently concluded edition. He stitched a partnership of 75 runs off just 32 deliveries along with Baba Aparajith against Himachal Pradesh to pull off a stunning win, despite a top-order collapse. The cricketer followed it up with an unbeaten 7-ball 18 in the final against Baroda, as Tamil Nadu recorded a sensational triumph. Not only this, Shahrukh further registered match-winning fifties in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well against Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer credited focussed net sessions for being able to go out and perform as per the requirements of his team.
“I just wanted to express myself. Was very clear with regard to the strategy during practice sessions. The focus was on being the best when it came to smacking the ball into the stands. There was great understanding with regard to the areas that needed to be improved upon as well as the requirements of the role.”
Virender Sehwag and Anil Kumble have hailed Shahrukh as the next Kieron Pollard, which is certainly an indication of the respect he commands.
“He (Shahrukh ) reminds me a bit of Pollard actually. When I was with Mumbai Indians, Pollard in the nets was dangerous. I used to bowl a bit (in the nets), and the first thing I used to tell him was don’t hit straight,” said Kumble in an interview to Punjab Kings during IPL 2021.
Sehwag hailed Shahrukh as a player who was similar to the Windies all-rounder, highlighting his ability to stand and hit sixes off bowlers.
“He reminds us of a young Pollard, when he had just come into the IPL. Everyone was running after him, because he could just stand and hit sixes off bowlers. Shahrukh has the same quality,” he said in an interaction with Cricbuzz.
“If he can be given a chance to bat higher, the day he clicks, he could even hit a century. He is the kind of player for whom it doesn’t matter what happened the previous ball. Many batsmen think ‘Oh, I got beaten, this one turned’. Those who don’t think about the previous ball, they have a higher success rate,” added Sehwag.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer believes that he is well capable of smashing a century in T20 cricket. However, Shahrukh termed it as something dependent on the situation in a game.
“I can definitely score a T20 century. However, I do not want to move up the order for that. In case of a scenario where the team has to chase a target of 250, I will be happy to smash the ball around for quick runs if promoted. Feels great when such legends praise your gameplay. Big compliment. Another factor is the presence of world-class players like Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul up the order for PBKS. They are unbelievable players. Cannot imagine any position barring that of a finisher in the PBKS team. I want to dominate the opposition in my current role.”
“I don’t think about the previous delivery and simply look to focus on the next ball. There is no luxury with regard to sparing a moment of thought about the past as a finisher. The ultimate goal is to get the game done and dusted.”
Shahrukh’s statement is certainly an interesting one considering Vijay Shankar’s recent remark, with regard to the batting positions made available to an all-rounder.
“I’m an all-rounder, but I’m known for my batting. So just because I’m an all-rounder, it shouldn’t be like I should bat only at No. 6 or 7. I can also be someone like Jacques Kallis or Shane Watson,” he had said in an interview with India TV.
The 6-feet-4 inch big-hitter has been bowling fast for around two years and wishes to make his presence felt as a seam-bowling all-rounder.
“I have been looking to increase my pace, which is certainly possible considering my strength and overall build-up. Bowling at a high pace comes naturally to me. Just trying to improve my gameplay as much as possible and remain calm. If I keep working hard, it will certainly result in an opportunity with the Indian team in the role of a seam-bowling all-rounder.”
Shahrukh’s emergence as a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder is a godsend for Team India, considering the injury concerns that restrict Hardik Pandya from bowling consistently. His big-hitting would certainly provide some solidity down the order, along with the reassurance of an effective bowling option.
While the cricketer is enjoying the limelight currently, he has faced his fair share of struggle as well.
Shahrukh was named as the best all-rounder in the 2012 edition of the Junior CSK tournament. He had dreams of making it big, which was backed by quality performances at the U-13 level. The all-rounder further followed it up with exciting gameplay at the U-16 level, which he termed as the “turning point” of his life, and a stage where he realised he could make it big.
“The vision to make it big as a cricketer was always there. When I started playing at the U-13 level, there was not much clarity over the path. I was quite young as well. However, the U-16 stage was the turning point, as I gained confidence over my potential and clarity as well.”
However, the challenges and setbacks presented themselves when least expected. Shahrukh was ignored for the U-19 World Cup in 2014, despite scoring 624 runs and picking 18 wickets in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy.
“It was extremely frustrating to not get selected for the U-19 World Cup. I thought I would surely get an opportunity, on the back of such a fine campaign. Even the IPL snub in the previous edition after being a part of trials with numerous franchises was a blow.”
Shahrukh credits his trainer and ‘father figure’ Azhariah Prabhakar as well as captain Dinesh Karthik for helping him bounce back despite these setbacks.
“Everything happens for a reason. The manner in which I got my opportunities made it all the more special. Mr Azhariah urged me to continue with the routine and remain positive through thick and thin. I would urge emerging youngsters to stick to their routines at any cost as well. If you get up at 6 AM usually, do so without second thoughts.”
“Dinesh (Karthik) knew there was a lot of pressure on me to finish games, so he used to work with me in the nets. He would chuck balls at me, or he would stand behind me in the nets and give me certain targets and scenarios in every practice session. He really took care of me and even during matches when I used to bat with him, he guided me perfectly,” he said in an interview with Punjab Kings during IPL 2021.
“Whatever the result of the game, Dinesh told me to always finish the 50 overs or 20 overs in the game, depending on the format we were playing. Whenever I have tried batting till the end, I have finished games for my side. So he has given me this confidence that no matter what happens, I will finish games for the team if I bat till the end. I think I’ve blindly trusted that advice and worked towards that,” added Shahrukh.
The all-rounder will look to impress when the IPL 2021 resumes, having expressed a desire to improve as much as possible. Fine performances could well result in a national call-up, with Shahrukh confident of standing out with the same approach even in the longest format.
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