For someone who has been a regular in the state level competitions at the U-13, U16 and U-19, playing alongside seasoned campaigners in the TNCA first division was useful in gaining maturity.
Going by his stellar show this season, one would be tempted to call him the 'badshah' of junior cricket in Tamil Nadu, M. Shahrukh Khan, who is named after the Hindi superstar as per his mother's wish, hasn't just piled on runs; he has also proved his ability to soak up pressure ability to soak up pressure and deliver the goods.
The 18-year-old batting all-rounder has been in red-hot form with the willow in the ongoing Cooch Behar U-19 trophy. He plundered 210 runs off 287 balls in 370 minutes against a powerful Mumbai U-19 side to steer Tamil Nadu to 519.
His knock ensured that his team got a lead and progressed to the next round to face Madhya Pradesh. Shahrukh was at it again -scoring 58 & 90 -as he guided his team to the next round.
“For now I have set my sights on a place in the India U-19 side. It's one of many dreams. I just want to grab every opportunity that comes my way. I'm grateful to Mr. R. I. Palani, S. Sharath, J.R. Madanagopal, my coach L. Venkat Narayanan and trainer Azahriah Prabhakar.
Without their guidance it wouldn't have been possible for me to per form well,“ s a i d Shahrukh, a first year B. Com. student at Guru Nanak College.
For some one who has been a regu lar in the state level competi tions at the U-13, U-16 and U-19 categories, playing alongside seasoned campaigners in the TNCA first division league was useful in gaining maturity .
He recollected his 67 against Mohd. Kaif 's Uttar Pradesh in the final of the Buchi Babu tournament at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium a few months ago. “The conditions and the situation were tough. It was always going to be difficult to face prominent spinners operating in tandem on a pitch favourable to them.
“My skipper Badrinath had a few words of encouragement before I walked out to the middle. It was at that moment I realised the importance of first division cricket. It was a test of my skills, patience and temperament. The experience of tackling Ranji bowlers in the senior division helped me counter the UP attack. I believe in playing the ball on its merit,“ added Shahrukh who represents UFCC in the state's top league.
Venkat Narayanan, 55, has seen Shahrukh right through his nascent career and admires the hard work his ward puts in every day . “Shahrukh's dedication is exceptional. His hundred against Jolly Rovers this season was important for the maturity he showed at the crease.
He loves to converse with seniors on the game and he is a great listener.
Shahrukh has it in him to make it big -both for his state as well for India one day,“ Venkat said.
It isn't just about batting for this multi-faceted young cricketer.
Shahrukh's off-spin accounted for three crucial TNCA XI wickets in the semifinal of the Buchi Babu. The coach says Shahrukh is as good an off-spinner as he is with the bat, though the youngster's focus of late has shifted more towards batting. “He has got the knack of picking up wickets at crucial moments.
Bowling lends more variety to his game,“ said Venkat.
