Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Shahrukh Khan has finally realized his potential as a finisher as he helped his team win another game in IPL 2023 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Facing just 10 balls, Shahrukh hammered in 23 runs, including a boundary and two sixes to ensure PBKS crossed the line safely with three balls to spare and two wickets in hand.
Much was made about how Shahrukh was unable to replicate his consistent performances for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket in the IPL. However, the faith that the Punjab Kings management showed in him finally seems to be paying off as he has already played a couple of effective cameos this season.
Fans on Twitter were delighted to see Shahrukh Khan finally live up to the potential he has displayed over the years. These are some of the reactions:
Shahrukh Khan’s innings ensured PBKS won despite losing to Sikandar Raza
PBKS needed just 159 to win, but the pitch wasn’t such that hitters could get across the line with ease. Lucknow struck early with a couple of wickets, thanks to debutant Yudhvir Singh Charak’s excellent opening spell.
Looking good for his 34, Matthew Short departed right at the end of the power play, helping LSG get back into the game.
In the midst of a faltering chase in Punjab, Zimbabwean star Sikandar Raza rose to his feet and produced an incredible counterattack. He backed up his natural play and scored some crucial boundaries to keep PBKS in hot pursuit.
As Raza reached its half century, it looked like an easy chase for Punjab. However, Ravi Bishnoi stepped up and produced an incredible 18, conceding just three runs and also taking the wicket of Race.
Shahrukh Khan made his intentions clear by crashing Mark Wood’s delivery straight into the ground for a six from the first ball he faced. The Tamil Nadu batsman seemed unfazed by the pressure from the wickets at the other end and led his team to a fantastic victory.
With this victory, Punjab jumped two places to rank fourth in the IPL 2023 points table, with six points from five games.