“He’s Got So Many Options in His Head” – Shahrukh Khan on Shubman Gill’s Captaincy
Shahrukh Khan has established himself as one of the most consistent figures in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and his leadership record speaks for itself – he has guided his side to three championships and helped them qualify for the playoffs on six occasions.
In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Shahrukh reflected on his long association with the TNPL and the role the tournament has played in shaping his career. He also opened up about how captaincy has influenced his batting, the responsibility of nurturing young players, and the culture that has helped several of his teammates progress to the IPL. The Gujarat Titans (GT) star also spoke about the difference between batting in the TNPL and the IPL, the environment within the Titans’ team set-up, and his experience of working under Shubman Gill.
Q: How much has the TNPL changed the landscape for players from the state?
Shahrukh: We were all in our teens when we started playing. There are a lot of talented players who have come through the TNPL, played in the IPL and then gone on to play for India. The first one was Washington Sundar.
Q: Do you feel there is more pressure on you in the TNPL because of the expectations that come with being an established figure?
Shahrukh: There is pressure in every game that you play. Not just in the TNPL, but in big-day or high-pressure matches as well. I don’t think you can excel in sport without pressure. Whether it’s getting runs for your team or taking wickets for your team, there is always pressure.
I bat lower down the order, so I go into situations where there are just four or five overs left, and I can’t think about failure too much.
As an opener, it’s completely different. You can take your time and play. But the role that I play is kind of volatile.
In the TNPL, after playing in the IPL, obviously you want to do well and contribute.
Q: How different is your approach to batting in the TNPL compared to the IPL?
Shahrukh: The TNPL is different and the IPL is different. It’s a different ball game altogether. The fast bowlers you face in the IPL are someone who bowls at more than 135 or 140 kmph – the speed here is different.
Batting preparations change between the TNPL and the IPL. Batting in the TNPL and IPL is totally different.
Q: What is the one thing about the Gujarat Titans (GT) team that you appreciate the most?
Shahrukh: The way they keep the players together and maintain a happy environment – that’s the reason you see so many good performances. You want to play a good brand of cricket, and having so many support staff members you are comfortable with helps. They build that relationship with you.
Q: How is Shubman Gill as a captain?
Shahrukh: Shubman is a very calm and collected player. He prepares so meticulously for his batting, and that resonates with his captaincy as well. He’s got plans and so many options in his head to rotate the bowlers and set fields.
He started off as a captain for GT and then went on to captain the Test side for the country. His growth from the IPL to the international level has been a tremendous sign.
Q: When there are just five or six overs left and you’re coming to bat, what is going on in your mind?
Shahrukh: It’s different when you chase with five overs left and different when you have to chase a target. I kind of break it down and make it as simple as possible. I like chasing because there is tremendous pressure, but you can take the game as deep as possible and then control it.
Q: If you had to pick one player from your TNPL-winning side to join GT, who would it be?
Shahrukh: I would definitely say M Siddharth. He is somebody who understands the game very well and has been performing consistently well with the new ball.
Q: After four finals and three championships in the last five years, how do you see the evolution of your game beyond just batting?
Shahrukh: When I started, it was completely different. It was something new to me because you have the job of taking care of 20 players, so you just can’t focus on your batting.
Captaincy helped me understand the game and how to catch the pulse of a batter or bowler.
Q: What does it mean to you to have established yourself as one of the most successful captains in the TNPL?
Shahrukh: It’s been a good journey for me as a captain in the TNPL, and if you’ve qualified so many times, there’s been something right. But we’ve had different players over the last six years. It hasn’t been a consistent core group because auctions happen every two years.
For me, holding on to the core group is what I’ve tried to do as much as possible. It’s important to try and keep things as simple and calm as possible to reach the finals.
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