Shah Rukh peps up Ganguly after sacking

Pep talk from team owner lifts Ganguly's spirits after being sacked as skipper

Shah Rukh peps up Ganguly after sacking

Pep talk from team owner lifts Ganguly's spirits after being sacked as skipper

It is natural for anyone who has been demoted not to be in the best frame of mind, and so was Ganguly yesterday after being sacked as the captain of the Kolkata-based Indian Premier League team.

As the decision came on the eve of the first game, gathering your composure and focus is a big ask. However, from the look of things at the Knight Riders' practice yesterday, Shah Rukh may have enacted his role so well so as to get Ganguly's adrenaline pumping again.

The former India captain entered the practice arena at the PP Smith Cricket ground here, disinterested and demoralised as he executed his big hits with coach John Buchanan serving the throw downs.

It was clear that something was affecting his mind. He walked across to owner Shah Rukh and took him aside for a long heart-to-heart session. After a 40-minute-long intense chat also involving co-owner Jay Mehta, the left-handed batsman emerged all gung-ho.

The difference in attitude was clear in the way Ganguly straight away picked his bat and gloves and headed for the nets asking a team assistant to give him throw downs even though it was already quite dark. Playing his role of motivational-guru well, Shah Rukh sensed another opportunity and volunteered to bowl to Ganguly. It did not matter to the actor that he was recently operated on his left shoulder and that he had not bowled for the last 21 years. It was evident that the session was not about serious batting, but it was about a gesture that the team owner made to comfort his player whose feelings had been hurt.

Motivator
It was clear from his banter that Ganguly was back in his elements. To one of the better SRK deliveries, he spontaneously took to commentary 'Oh, the ball pitched at a perfect length and moved away beautifully'.

"Ganguly is in a good mood and in good nick, which he is very happy about," said Shah Rukh, himself sounding quite relieved.

About the decision to replace Ganguly as skipper, the actor said the player himself was part of the decision and it was taken in the best interest of the team.

"There was a time I could do Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. There is a time I could do Chak De India. It is time for all of us to see reality, Dada sees it, I see it.

"We are very intelligent, smart and practical people," Shah Rukh said.

Shah Rukh said he was not part of the decision though. "The decision was taken by the cricketing minds in our team, which includes Dada himself and John Buchanan. The whole team is happy with the decision. Dada has tried his best to see that there is no controversy surrounding this. He is in the loop for every decision we take
"There is a reason behind this decision which people will understand later."u00a0

Given the fact that the Kolkata fans may not take too kindly to the decision, is Shah Rukh thinking in terms of the team's wider global appeal than the eastern city?

The superstar retorted: "This team is Kolkata Knight Riders and will remain that way. It was started at Eden Gardens and it will die there. I am sure the fans will not have an issue with it. You have to do a lot of things for the team and this decision is for what is good from the team's point keeping in mind the new strategy.

"It actually could be a positive decision which people are thinking is negative."

It is a big setback for the Knight Riders' icon player but if SRK can enact his new role as well as he has done on screen, then it may well turn out to be Chak De! Dada.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels