As Shahrukh Khan will be gearing up to play for Punjab Kings for the upcoming edition of cash-rich league has already received a compliment from coach Kumble who said that the Indian youngster reminds him a bit of Kieron Pollard.
Shahrukh Khan is known for his power-hitting in the Indian domestic circuit went unsold in IPL 2020 auction but finally got his maiden IPL contract based on his domestic performance.
He played an instrumental role for Tamil Nadu lifting the recently concluded Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy. As Anil Kumble has already given intention that they will be backing him in the playing X1 for Punjab Kings throughout IPL 2021.
“He reminds me a bit of Pollard actually. When I was with Mumbai Indians, Pollard in the nets was dangerous. I used to bowl a bit (in the nets), and the first thing I used to tell him was not to hit straight. Here I’m not even trying. I’m a lot older now, and the body doesn’t take the bowling anymore. So, I’m not going to bowl at Shahrukh, for sure,” said Kumble in a video posted by the franchise on Twitter.
Also Shahrukh was elated to Join Punjab Kings franchise as his base price in the auction was 20 Lakhs but his amazing performance in the domestic circuit ensured that the franchise spend huge money on him and eventually Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 5 crore for IPL 2021.
“The auction started at around 3 PM I guess, and we were practicing at the Holkar Stadium, obviously I had to bat and bowl a bit. So I told our physio that ‘please let me know when my name comes up. I’ll take a break and come and see the auction.’ Luckily my name didn’t come up, and it didn’t bother my batting much. Right after we finished practice and we hopped onto the bus, I still remember sitting on the first seat and my name came up. My heart started pumping, but I didn’t expect it to rise as much as it did,” Shahrukh Khan said.
“Being amongst such stalwarts of cricket, it feels amazing to be here and the inputs have been great. I have been having a lot of conversations with everyone around here, getting to learn a lot as well,” he added.
