When it comes to Indian power hitters in the IPL, they’re always in demand for their ability to change matches in the course of a few balls. Tamil Nadu batsman Shahrukh Khan, who was released by Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL Auction 2024, will be much in demand on December 19, in Dubai.
For someone who showed sparks of brilliance but could never be right up there at the top, Shahrukh, in his 33 IPL matches has only 426 runs to his name, at an average of 20, with 47 being his highest score. Despite this, Punjab might still bid for him. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said, “It’s not your team to be in all the time. I am out in the auction, so let’s see.”
Defending his numbers at the biggest stage, he said, “People judge you when you can’t get those two sixes at the death. But it can’t happen every day. For bowlers too…for a Natarajan or Bumrah, they can’t be successful all the time. I try to stay till the last ball in the death overs.”
Shahrukh also went on to explain the value of a small contribution too, in a T20I match. “Once you hit 15-20 runs in one over, it feels amazing. When you don’t get them in one game, people think he has failed. But they don’t understand the value of getting 10 runs in 4-5 balls. If you look at T20 matches, that’s what it boils down to.”
Not just that, the 28-year-old also spoke about the raw power he can generate and how even a mishit can clear the boundary ropes. “Power comes naturally to me. I am strongly built so I don’t have to do anything extraordinary. I have the technique to negotiate the good length balls. With my power, I know even mishits can go long. So, I don’t look to complicate it,” he added.
“I use the depth of the crease, particularly during the death. In the last few games of this year’s IPL, I came outside the crease as well and it came out good.”
But then there’s something that Shahrukh is working on, which might reap him good results in IPL 2024. “A lot of bowlers try to bowl the wide yorkers to me. I get doubles but not many boundaries and sixes. When I miss, those are dot balls. But with this tactic, third-man and fine leg are in. If I can develop a ramp shot over fine leg or the keeper, I can outsmart them. I have been working on it in practice matches.”
