Shahrukh Khan has been the star of Tamil Nadu in 2021 right from his last-ball six to help Tamil Nadu retain the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 last month to notching up consistent performances with the bat at the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy-the domestic 50 overs competition.
With his ability to clear the fence at ease and keep a cool head under pressure, he will be a sought-after player in the forthcoming IPL auctions as well. In fact, it was a surprise for every one of the cricket fraternity that Punjab Kings did not retain him.
M Shahrukh Khan Want To Become A Finisher Like MS Dhoni And Isn’t Thinking About IPL 2022 Auctions Much
In a chat, the 26-year-old spoke on the role of a finisher and his learnings from being part of the IPL 2021. M Shahrukh Khan said MS Dhoni is the player he has always looked up to and he wants to become a finisher like him.
Following a terrific stint in the domestic circuit for Tamil Nadu, the youngster was bought for a whopping Rs. 5.25 crore at the players’ auction for IPL 2021- becoming Punjab King’s biggest Indian buy-in IPL 2021.
“It is obviously there at the back of my mind. Having said that, I am not thinking too much about what’s going to happen (at the auctions). At the moment, I am only focusing on the preparations for the Ranji Trophy as I am keen to contribute to my team,” on expectations from IPL 2022.
“It all boils down to the process. By process I mean — the preparations (for a game) begin much before the actual match is. The net sessions and the plans on how to go about my innings — all fall under the process part. With regards to the mental ability — I will have to thank our team’s assistant coach R Prasanna who has worked hard on me.”
“He has known me since I was 15 or 16 and understands my game as we have played with each other. Prasanna keeps me highly motivated before a game and backs me to deliver each time I go out to bat. Also, the team management’s role for me has been very clear. The team think tank’s communication is clear and that allows me to express myself each time I go out to bat.”on mental strength.
“MS Dhoni is the player I have always looked up to and I want to become a finisher like him. The way he goes about the game is a masterclass for all. He is fully aware of his abilities and the beauty of his batting is that he takes the game deep.
“The deeper you take the game — the more pressure the bowlers will be under and that automatically gives you more options to score and finish on the winning side,” on role model being finisher MS Dhoni.
“At this moment, I am not really thinking too much about the IPL auctions and would prefer to focus more on Ranji Trophy preparations,” on aspiring to don the CSK jersey in future of IPL .
Named after a popular Bollywood star, M Shahrukh Khan is a right-hand batsman and occasional right-arm off-spinner. At 6 feet 6 inches, M Shahrukh Khan showed plenty of promise at different age-group cricket for Tamil Nadu and was destined to play at the big stage.
M Shahrukh Khan Grew His Confidence After Being Part Of IPL And Relished Facing High-Quality Bowlers At Nets And During Matches
M Shahrukh Khan has played 11 IPL matches for Punjab Kings scoring 153 runs with a best of 47 averaging 21.86. Despite his role as a finisher, the selection panel settled for pace all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for South Africa ODIs with Chetan Sharma admitting that M Shahrukh Khan’s time will come at some point.
“After coming back from the IPL, I have done even better than what I did last year in white-ball cricket. This year — I have got the runs quicker. Being part of the IPL helped me grow in confidence. I started facing bowlers who bowled over 140kph regularly at the nets.”
“We had the likes of Mohd Shami, Riley Meredith and Chris Jordan who were quick in the Punjab Kings XI line-up. When you face such high-quality bowlers both in the nets and during matches, your skillset goes up automatically,” on change in game after playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021.
“Red-ball cricket is a different ball game. Having said that, I have done well in red-ball cricket as well. In my debut Ranji game against Kerala (at Chepauk) in 2018-19, I had scored an unbeaten 92 and also hit a gritty 55 against Delhi that season.
“I am ready for all formats of the game. The world’s best players such as David Warner aren’t just hard hitters of the white ball but also excel in the longest version of the game, ” on being ready for red ball cricket.
M Shahrukh Khan was a designated finished for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2021, where he scored 153 runs from 11 matches, batting lower down the order at an average of 21.85 and a strike rate of 134.21.
He was also key for the state-side when they trumped Karnataka in the final of the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He blasted a last-ball six to take Tamil Nadu over the line. His blistering form continued even in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he made telling contributions whenever his side needed him the most.