The King Khan roars!

Shah Rukh Khan must have definitely realized it is not easy being a top celebrity in India. After Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss, film fraternity colleagues - Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s not so amusing digs at him, SRK had the ICC to contend with. The superstar is known to rarely get upset but those close to him swear that when his authority is challenged he roars loudly!

During the IPL game when his team Kolkata Knight Riders took on Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the Bollywood superstar was told to maintain a safe distance from his team. The Anti-Corruption Unit of the ICC had told the KKR owner that he should not be in the players’ dressing room and going inside his players’ dug-out was out of bounds too.

Later, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, briefed the media on allowing owners of IPL teams access to dug-out area for unlimited time. He put to rest the rumours floating around that SRK and other team owners would be allowed just fifteen minutes time in the specified area. No issue?

When inquired about the controversy Shah Rukh stated, "I have absolutely no issue with them (ICC). Nor do I feel the need to ask for 15 minutes etc to meet with the team I own. Only IPL or IMG or whoever is in charge of stuff on grounds should inform their officials from ICC or whatever other agency they are from, about the rules before they question someone who has all the accreditations, passes or permissions with him/her and incidentally, happens to be the owner of the team too."

The Chak De India star did feel that he is being targetted only because he is a celebrity. "It’s quite prevalent now to take on a known personality and behave high-handedly so that one gains some form of personal importance. It’s happened a few times before, during the matches too" he further added.

When queried, in what manner he would be tackling this issue henceforth, he replied, "I have decided to be civilised about it, in the larger interest of my team’s morale and state of mind especially when they were down. Someone sent me a message yesterday if you want to lead the orchestra you have to learn to turn your back to the crowds. I guess I will turn my back on this one too and keep trying to make the music that makes sense to me and that gives me very little time to answer to these loud regulatory noises around me. Don’t walk here, don’tenter the dressing room, don’t dance there, don’t meet players! Hey! How about don’t mind my business, try and mind yours more efficiently for a change that will be more helpful. Now if I want to meet my team I will do so at my house, or in their hotel, not on the grounds for 15 minutes!"

Dressing Room Fun

The King Khan may have had good reason to be pissed off over being barred from entering his owned team’s dressing room and dug-out on the Sunday game. Cricket history however, is full of several dressing room stories. Here are a few interesting ones that illustrate the significance of dressing room sanctity.

Sunny point

It was the 1981-82 Ranji season. Sunil Gavaskar, who represented Mumbai, one day, came in for the Mumbai Ranji Trophy nets along with his five-year-old son Rohan. Post his batting practice he went in for a shower. But, when he stepped out, he saw Rohan hanging around in the team’s dressing room. He then playfully asked Rohan, whether he had sought the permission of the then Mumbai skipper, Eknath Solkar to enter their dressing room. All present were amused to see thelook on the poor five year olds’ face but also lauded Sunny’s point!"

Sir genuis

Sir Gary Sobers would play for the state of South Australia where Sir Don Bradman was an administrator post his retirement from the game. Sobers was known for partying all night even if there would be a big game the next day. After his night outs, Sobers would catch up on his sleep in the dressing room when the South Australian top order would be batting. It is learnt that, Bradman would straightway head to Sobers in the dressing room and wake him up with the words, "Wake up Garry, SA are in trouble. We need you to score a hundred!" The left-handed genius would oblige with a significant score most of the time.

Bottles Up!

Ray Robinson, celebrated Aussie cricket writer was so highly respected by the Aussie cricket team that he would be allowed to enter their dressing room post match to discuss the day. It is said that in fact he would be lured to come over. Robinson had an ulcer problem and therefore could not consume strong beer, so, Aussie legend, playing then, Rodney Marsh would uncap a couple of pints just a little before stumps, especially for Ray.

Loo-na-tics!

Indore’s Usha Raje stadium, which is now its only International standard venue, used to be just a cricketing ground used for Ranji tournament matches till the late 90s. All the male reporters covering the domestic season would be made to use a makeshift toilet but the female reporters would have no option but use the visiting teams’ dressing room toilets. The teams would chivalrously co-operate without making any fuss about it.

- BY MAHESH THEVAR