Shah Rukh Khan’s message to KKR after Thursday win
IPL team owners speaking after matches addressing their squads isn’t always terribly interesting, but Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan drew out a chuckle or two, keeping the atmosphere light and frothy, after KKR’s massive win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In a text message read out chief Venky Mysore, King Khan addressed his team which has managed two wins from 4 matches, in a sluggish start to their campaign. The defending champions however scored a comprehensive win against SRH, and King Khan gushed. “Bossman has sent a long message. He has instructed me to read it out. So I’m going to try it with his accent,” Venky Mysore joked, adding SRK quipping, “Wow, so I guess a secret to a gameplay like this is that I should come on the screen during team meetings before the match. Played like the champions we are. Awesome everyone.”
The message started with young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi who scored 50 off 32.
Story continues below this ad
“Well done Angkrish. You were sublime,” the message read, to which Angkrish made a hand heart. SRK would proceed to praise the skipper Ajinkya Rahane. “Ajinkya was fantastic captain’s innings and game strategy,” as Rahane (38 off 27) nodded, chewing a chewing gum.
To star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who is just about getting started with a 29 ball-60, SRK had instructed, “And Venkatesh, don’t think too far ahead. Just (about) the time on the crease, that’s where you belong. Fantastic.”
Rinku Singh who had 32 off 17 as KKR reached 200/6, SRK’s message was “And Rinku, so happy to see you smile. You are a champ.” Rinku sitting in the corner, would shyly smile.
King Khan also said he was gleeful that two of the best mystery spinners of the world played for KKR. “Sunil and Varun (3/22), it’s magical to see you guys bowl together and we are fortunate to have two of the best.”Story continues below this ad
SRK would laud Harshit Rana for the crucial catch to dismiss Pat Cummins, who couldn’t clear the fielder at long on, giving Varun Chakaravarthy his second wicket. “Harshit, nice catch bro and great bowling,” while the most effusive praise was reserved for pacer Vaibhav Arora who wrecked the SRah response, with 3/29, including sending back danger men Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. “Vaibhav, you were a star today. You played to a plan and stuck it,” he said.
SRK would also not miss out on praising substitute fielder Anukul Roy saying, “Anukul beta, good catch today.” Anukul Roy had helped remove the quietly building storm of Kamindu Mendis after the strategic break. Mendis was about to explode but mimed an offbreak from Sunil Narine and was caught at midwicket to push SRH into deep tatters.
While Quinton de Kock only got 1 off 6, SRK would end his gush with the words, “One learning from this match mainly – len to what Quinny says.” It wasn’t immediately clear what SRK meant. And even Quinny – women from his reverie mention of his name – looked astounded. But he certainly had uttered something that has stuck in King Khan’s sharp mind.
