Former New Zealand all-rounder and cricket commentator Scott Styris has stressed the need to not put so much pressure on the Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) young batsman Shahrukh Khan as he is playing his first season in the ongoing 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).
Shahrukh, who has shown the ability to play the finisher's role with the bat, has managed 103 runs in five innings so far at a rate of 135.52 for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Styris – who is commenting in the ongoing IPL 2021 – believes that the cricketer should be allowed to go out and enjoy himself there.
He also said the youngster can aspire to be like Hardik Pandya.
Styris said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected: “I think that's a lot of pressure to put on his shoulders. I would want to back up that truck a little bit and say no. Just let him play and develop! People develop at different speeds as well. He might take two-three-four seasons to get to a point where he is a reliable finisher.”
On Shahrukh’s comparisons to the likes of Kieron Pollard, he said: “I don't want to compare anyone with Kieron Pollard, he's 6 foot 5, and he’s huge. Shahrukh Khan is a big guy as well. Maybe he can look to aspire to be like Hardik Pandya.
Read Also: IPL 2021: Match 26, PBKS v RCB- COC Predicted Playing XIs
I've seen a lot of Shahrukh Khan because of my commentary days with the Tamil Nadu Premier League and he was a powerful striker of the ball in that league.”
The commentator further added, “I am glad to see him go on and do the same thing for the Tamil Nadu side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and that's how he has earned his space. Dominic Cork just talked about players developing and moving on to India.
Well, that's what these local leagues do as well, by televising them, by putting them under pressure. They then develop to get into their first-class sides and then into the IPL and then potentially into their national sides as well.”
He signed off by saying, “So, Shahrukh Khan, just let him play like all the uncapped players, just let them develop; learn from the big-named players around them and when that happens, you just don't know what can come from that.”
(With ANI Inputs)
