The world saw him out there at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Monday, cheering the Men in Blue, shouting “Chak De, India” and punching the air in triumph as M S Dhoni’s Demons demolished Pakistan to win the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup. Shah Rukh Khan spoke to BT after the euphoria had sunk in.
His trip wasn’t planned. The BCCI and Sharad Pawar had invited him. “It was kind of them,” said SRK. “I was sitting at home doing nothing because of the Ganpati holiday. The game was just for three hours, I could make it. I would never have been able to go for a daynight Onedayer. My son Aryan wanted to go. And I was glad I could take him for a World Cup final, everything just fell into place,” he added, explaining his presence at the stadium.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had mentioned earlier that it was SRK’s presence that inspired Dhoni and his men to victory. He was the ‘X’ factor that lent that extra edge to a team that was already riding a wave of confidence with Lady Luck alongside them. Amused at being described as Team India’s lucky mascot, Shah Rukh Khan said, “That’s not true at all. Success isn’t about one person, it’s a collective effort. Let’s not take away from the boys their dues. This success belonged solely and only to Dhoni and his boys.
But did he not think that his role as hockey coach Kabir Khan in Chak De India had inspired all of India to compete at whatever it was doing more fiercely and proudly? “Well, yes, Chak De has enthused India with a new spirit.
But Chak De, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai are defining movies of my career. I am glad to be able to contribute through them. But, in this case, I was another Indian among the spectators cheering the boys with my mind, body, heart and soul.
His role as the hockey coach has emboldened SRK to offer this tip to the new One-day captain M S Dhoni: “It’s important to instill confidence in the team. A captain has to be in sync with his players. Success is all about team spirit. Treat every player as an adult who has his own mind. Leave them with responsibility and you see magic.
