Comparison With Kieron Pollard A Big Thing But I Need To Create My Own Identity: Shahrukh Khan

Tamil Nadu batsman Shahrukh Khan entered the IPL 2021 on the back of a reputation as a hard-hitting batsman. Shahrukh Khan impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year and while his statistics were not compelling enough, Punjab Kings’ coach Anil Kumble compared him with Kieron Pollard. But the 25-year old feels that he needs to create his own identity and is privileged to be compared to Pollard.

Shahrukh Khan received hefty bids in the IPL 2021 auction and fetched INR 5.25 crores from the Punjab Kings. The right-handed batsman proved his mettle this year, rescuing his side on multiple occasions after a middle-order meltdown. He finished with 107 runs in eight matches t 21.40, maintaining a strike rate of 127.38. But as a handy off-spinner, Khan could not get an opportunity to roll his arms.

Shahrukh Khan acknowledged that he is only starting off; hence, comparison by Anil Kumble to Kieron Pollard was a massive thing. But the spin-bowling all-rounder wants to create his distinct identity and claimed that Pollard is head and shoulders above him. He believes that he will become every bit a good finisher as the West Indian limited-overs captain.

“Definitely, that is obviously a big thing when Anil Kumble compared me to Kieron Pollard. But I’m just starting off. So, I feel that I need to create an identity of my own. I want to become what I do, the way I go about. Obviously, it’s a wonderful thing that he compared me to Kieron Pollard. He is head and shoulders ahead of me. I’m just starting off. I will get there but him comparing me to Kieron Pollard was pretty good,” Khan told Inside Sport.

They just told me to go and do what I do for Tamil Nadu: Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan revealed that captain KL Rahul and Kumble advised him to do what he does for Tamil Nadu and nothing different, claiming they would be happy with that effort.

“It was very simple for me. They just told me to go and do what I do for Tamil Nadu and nothing different, nothing else. They told me, ‘You don’t need to do anything differently yet. It’s just a change in name, but the ball, everything is the same. We’ll be very happy with it,” he added.

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