When you watch a kid take his bat out to the field with an air of confidence at the tender age of five, hoping to play for his country some day, you know he’s definitely going to make it big.
Born and brought up in Tamil Nadu, Shah Rukh Khan’s world revolved around cricket. From the age of five, he used to accompany his dad Masood Khan to the grounds to practice every Sunday. “It was all I ever did. Practise, practise, practise,” says the 20-year-old. Unlike most Indian kids who had the pressure to excel in studies, Shah Rukh had the luxury of following his heart. “My parents never told me to study. They were happy that I played cricket. They reacted to my successes and failures the same way and I guess that’s what made me confident and focused.”
Shah Rukh’s first big game was when he represented the chocolate company ‘Gems’. “From the age of five to 12, I just played for the love of the game, but from the age of 13, I started being competitive,” says Shah Rukh. His biggest achievement so far was when he scored a double century (210 runs) against Bombay in the Under 19 category where he represented Tamil Nadu in 2013.
Having completed his schooling in Don Bosco and St Bede’s, Chennai, Shah Rukh is now doing his Bachelors in Commerce at Gurunanak College, Chennai, although he admits ‘he barely attends classes’. A ‘self-made’ man, as he likes to be called, Shah Rukh recalls how he made his way up the ladder on his own, with no one in particular to coach him.
Like any other achiever, Shah Rukh had to put in hours of training every day to get to where he is now. “Three years back my training just included batting. I would go bat for two hours in the morning, come home have lunch, take a nap, and then bat again in the evening for two hours. But now that my focus is on longer forms of cricket, I have to work on fitness and endurance. I have been doing ground training and working out in the gym.”
For Shah Rukh, the year 2016 has much to look forward to. He will be representing Tamil Nadu in the Under-23 category, this February. “Tamil Nadu has been the table toppers in the South Zone, but this game will be crucial, as we’re going to play against Punjab in their home ground. I really hope we can clinch it.” Drawing inspiration from players like Joe Root and Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh says, “There’s never a dearth of opportunities. If there’s something you really want to do, you will make a way for it. That’s my advice for aspiring cricketers.”