Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 11 (ANI): Of the six times, Shahrukh Khan has batted at No. 4 in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has faced 20 or more deliveries on only three occasions. In Gujarat Titans' (GT) IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Ahmedabad, he made the most of the opportunity.

Walking in at the end of the 10th over with GT well-placed at 94/2, Shahrukh played a blistering knock of 36 off 20 balls, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. His aggressive approach continued until he was dismissed trying to attack Maheesh Theekshana. The role clarity provided by GT has clearly brought out the best in him, as per ESPNcricinfo.

'My role was pretty clear when they retained me itself - that I will be batting at No. 4 or 5,' Shahrukh said.

'There is also the thing about left-right combination. Before this game, Sai [Sudharsan] had gotten out early, so [Sherfane] Rutherford had gone in at No. 4. That's how the combination works. But it was fun to bat at No. 4, [I] got some time [to get set]. Game time is important going forward in the tournament,' he added.

GT's top order has been consistently firing, leaving little for the middle-order to do in their five games so far. However, when they were finally called upon, the middle-order delivered. Alongside Shahrukh, Rahul Tewatia played a vital cameo, smashing an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls to help GT over the line and take them to the top of the points table.

'The top three is getting the bulk of the runs,' Shahrukh noted, according to ESPNcricinfo. .'But there will be a situation, where wickets do fall. That's what our preparation been like since camps started. As middle order, we are ready for any situation that comes to us. Good thing is that in the last game a lot of got batting. So even if wickets fall, we are well-prepared to do our job,' he said.

Another standout performer for Gujarat this season has been left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore. With Noor Ahmad picked up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the auction, and Rashid Khan the only other specialist spinner in the squad, Sai Kishore has grabbed his chances with both hands. In five matches, he has picked up 10 wickets -- joint-second in the tournament -- with an excellent economy rate of 7.25 and a bowling average of just 13.30. Notably, he has bowled more overs and claimed more wickets than Rashid Khan this season.

'He's always been a fantastic bowler,' Shahrukh said.

'Just because he has not got many games under his belt, doesn't mean he's lesser than somebody else in the team. He's always been bowling this way, and has got the opportunity now over a period of time to show what he is, and what skill he has in his kitty,' he added.

Before IPL 2025, Sai Kishore had played 10 games across two seasons, largely warming the bench at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since 2020 but this year, he has showcased his skillset, including a deceptive carrom ball that has added a layer of mystery to his bowling. His emergence has been one of the key reasons behind GT's early dominance in the tournament.

'I have played a lot with him at Tamil Nadu and the way he has done for Tamil Nadu is exceptional,' Shahrukh said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

'He's continuing the same form here. As a team-mate and state-mate, I am very happy for him the way he is doing. The ball is coming out of his hand really well. I haven't seen him bowl this brilliantly with so much of control. Hardly any loose balls in this tournament. It is good to see, I am very happy for him,' he added. (ANI)