I idolise MS Dhoni, want to become a finisher like him, says all-rounder Shahrukh Khan ahead of IPL auction 2022 | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Chief selector Chetan Sharma had earlier talked about how the selectors are keeping a close watch on some players who have been doing well in domestic cricket, especially in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and named a few of these players, who the selectors have been discussing.
Tamil Nadu all-rounder Shahrukh Khan’s name was among those players. Shahrukh has been included as one of two stand-by players for the upcoming series against the West Indies, which starts with the first ODI on February 6.
“The path is clear now. I am very happy. I have managed to grab the attention of the selectors. If you had asked me a year back, I would have said I am not ready, but if you ask me now, I will say ‘yes, I am prepared to don the India jersey’. I am ready now. I can say this with my head held high. It is a dream that I have been living. I am really excited to be a part of the team. Looking forward to learning a lot,” Shahrukh told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian side are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is against the West Indies. The opening match of the three-ODI series will kick off on February 6 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. All the three ODIs (Feb 6, Feb 9, and Feb 11) will be played at the same venue. The first T20I will be played on February 16 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The second and third T20Is will take place on Feb 18 and Feb 20, respectively. Eden Gardens will host all three matches.

(BCCI/IPL Photo)
SHAHRUKH IDOLISES ‘FINISHER’ DHONI
Shahrukh has been fast-tracked into senior team contention thanks to his stellar show in domestic cricket.
With Tamil Nadu needing 5 runs off the last delivery, Shahrukh, who scored a blistering 33 not out off 15 balls, slammed a huge six off Karnataka’s Prateek Jain, to seal the deal in dramatic fashion and help his team lift the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in style, in November last year. This was Tamil Nadu’s third SMAT title and the second on the trot.
In the last edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 26-year-old scored 253 in 8 matches at an average of 42.16. He scored two fifties, at a strike rate of 186.02, including 20 maximums, in the tournament. He also had the second-highest number of sixes (20) in the tournament. Tamil Nadu lost to Himachal Pradesh (by VDS method) in the summit clash.
Shahrukh is being seen as an impact player. An attacking batsman who can turn a match on its head.
“When I go to the crease, I am mentally prepared and don’t think about the pressure. I keep calm and play my game. I know how to shift gears as per match situations. I always want to get the job done for my team. I don’t let the pressure hit me when I go to the crease. When you think about your individual performance rather than the team, then the pressure can be clearly seen on your face. And, I put my team first, not me. I don’t think about myself. That’s why I don’t feel pressure,” Shahrukh further told TimesofIndia.com.
“I idolise MS Dhoni and want to finish games the way he did for India. I have always looked up to Dhoni and I want to become a finisher like him,” the said.

(Photo courtesy – Shahrukh’s Twitter handle)
WHO WILL END UP BUYING SHAHRUKH AT THE IPL 2022 AUCTION?
Punjab Kings splurged a whopping Rs 5.25 crore to buy Shahrukh for IPL 2021. In 11 matches, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder scored 153 runs, at an average of 21.85. He whacked 10 sixes in his maiden IPL tournament at a strike rate of 134.21. It wasn’t the most promising of debuts, but the people tracking cricketing talent know what he is capable of.
Since Punjab Kings retained just two players – Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh – ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, Shahrukh could once again rake in the big bucks in the upcoming edition.
“I am not thinking too much about the auction. I want to live in the present. I will grab whatever opportunity comes my way. It is not in my hands. I learned a lot at Punjab Kings. I can’t forget the match against KKR. KL was there with me in the middle. The pressure was building. KL played a very good knock in the match, but got out in the last over. Before leaving the crease, he showed confidence in me. I was really happy to take the team to a win,” the 26-year-old allrounder told TimesofIndia.com.
“I was really comfortable there (at Punjab Kings). The coaching staff of Anil Kumble, Wasim Jaffer, Jonty Rhodes, and everyone else was so supportive. I learned a lot there. I remember Anil sir coming to me and saying he is confident that I will do well. I was comfortable from the start at Punjab Kings. As soon as I went there, I made good friends. Nicolas Pooran is a close friend. I felt at home at Punjab Kings. Wasim Jaffer helped me a lot with my batting. He said he has seen me bat for Tamil Nadu and gave me a lot of tips. I am still in touch with him and take tips from him,” Shahrukh signed off.