Shahrukh Khan MS Dhoni
Shahrukh Khan MS Dhoni. Image Credits: Twitter

Tamil Nadu batter Shahrukh Khan has called former India captain MS Dhoni his idol and also mentioned that he aims to become a finisher like the four-time IPL trophy-winning Chennai Super Kings skipper.

The right-handed hard-hitting batter is one of the people who are expected to attract some huge bids in the upcoming IPL 2022 mega auction. His impact for Tamil Nadu in their recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy victory in which he hit a six off the last ball to make his team champions have also led to him being added to the Indian team as a standby player for the upcoming T20I series against West Indies.

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as perhaps the greatest finisher in white-ball international cricket thanks to his big-hitting abilities and calm and collective thinking in pressure situations and hence Shahrukh Khan says he idolizes the great man and wants to emulate him as a finisher.

“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.

MS Dhoni with Shahrukh Khan during the IPL 2021. Photo-BCCI
MS Dhoni with Shahrukh Khan during the IPL 2021. Photo-BCCI

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 told TimesofIndia.com.

‘Yes, I Am Prepared To Don The India Jersey’: Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan had blasted 33* in 15 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy final recently and hit a six to win the final for Tamil Nadu with 5 runs off the last delivery. In IPL 2021, 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.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021
Photo Credit: (IPL)

With BCCI selectors being impressed by him and adding him and R Sai Kishore as standby players for the upcoming West Indies T20I series, Shahrukh Khan has said that he is ready to wear the Indian jersey as he had done everything and managed to grab the attention of the selectors.

“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.

Shahrukh will enter the IPL 2022 mega auction with a base price of INR 40 lakhs and it remains to see which team bids for such a bright young talent.

Read More  Prithvi Shaw won't play in IPL 2024 any further? Sourav Ganguly provides a jaw-dropping update

Also Read: IPL 2022: “At 22-23, If I Had Got 2 Or 3 Crores, I Would Have Probably Burnt It All”- Harshal Patel Ahead Of Auction