'People judge you when you can’t get those two sixes at the death' - Shahrukh Khan speaks up on playing finisher role

Tamil Nadu's power-packed batter Shahrukh Khan is in the market for a new Indian Premier League (IPL) team as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) decided to let him go ahead of the 2024 auction.

Shahrukh, bagged for a whopping INR 9 crore at the 2022 mega-auction, failed to deliver as per expectations in the IPL. His initial promise in the 2021 season declined, and his performance in the subsequent two seasons left much to be desired, with him scoring only 273 runs in 21 innings since 2022.

Discussing the challenges of batting in the lower middle-order, especially against seasoned death bowlers, Shahrukh said that he tries to stay till the last ball in the death overs but one can't be successful all the time.

“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," he said in an interaction with the Hindustan Times.

“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,” he added

Shahrukh established himself as a top-notch finisher in the domestic circuit, with his remarkable performances in the 2021-22 Syed Mushtaq Trophy still vividly remembered by many. Nevertheless, he has not been able to replicate the same in IPL.

I am strongly built so I don’t have to do anything extraordinary: Shahrukh

Shahrukh remains confident of his power-hitting abilities and trusts his skills, which provides him with the assurance that not attempt anything extraordinary.

“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,” Shahrukh said.

“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," Shahrukh said while reflecting on his batting strategy.