Given the task of finishing the match against Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings’ new batter Shahrukh Khan says that he possesses the ability to adapt and skills to bat anywhere. Khan’s 47 off 36 balls helped Punjab to cross the line of 100 runs in the 8th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. However, it was not enough to seal Punjab a victory as Chennai chased down the target quite comfortably.
Meanwhile, Shahrukh Khan has been grabbing the eyeballs in the last couple of seasons. He was in superlative form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy helping Tamil Nadu win the title. He played a couple of match-winning knocks playing in the middle-order.
I can play anywhere in the batting line-up – Shahrukh Khan
Speaking at the end of Punjab Kings‘ glaring defeat, Shahrukh stated that he is capable of batting anywhere in the line-up and if deemed necessary, he can also adopt the responsibility to playing good cricketing shots and stabilize the batting unit.
“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 said at the post-match press conference.
“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 have the skill 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,” he added.
The 25-year-old right-hander said that the curve of learning becomes well-defined while playing with top-rated players. Shahrukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s namesake made a lot of noise after the IPL auction. The Tamil Nadu cricketer also says that coaches Wasim Jaffer and Andy Flower have helped him to improve his games.
“The way they are having conversations with people around the team… Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, David Malan and obviously KL Rahul. The likes of so many big players when they see you in the nets, they say certain things here and there.
“It’s really going to improve your batting and obviously new to IPL. A long way to go! Will take a lot of things from them, advice and put out there and use it. New to the IPL, different scenario compared to the domestic games but here I’m getting to learn a lot of things. I’m trying to improve my game by one percent every session, having a good time with Wasim Jaffer and Andy Flower. Really having a lot of conversations with them,” Shahrukh Khan concluded.
Punjab lost the match by six wickets yesterday. They could manage only 106 runs in the allotted 20 overs. MS Dhoni-led CSK chased it down with ease to secure their first win of IPL 2021.
