Shah Rukh wants AbRam to play for India in hockey

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said he wants his youngest son, five-year-old AbRam, to grow up to be a hockey player and represent the country in international stage.

The star of the 2007 Bollywood blockbuster 'Chak De! India', Shah Rukh's love for hockey is no secret.

Shah Rukh's portrayal of Kabir Khan, who coached the Indian women's team to lift the World Cup, is one of the top inspirational sports movies of Bollywood.

Here in the city along with AbRam and daughter Suhana to cheer for his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah Rukh said: "He's not yet started playing cricket. Right now, he's playing a little bit of football.

"I would like him to play field hockey for India," he said.

Shah Rukh, his daughter Suhana and his entourage cheered for KKR as they got off to a winning start under new skipper Dinesh Karthik. They were seen taking a victory lap of the stadium after their four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore last night.

Chasing a stiff 177, KKR rode on blistering half-century from Sunil Narine to prevail over the star-studded RCB.

Shah Rukh further urged the KKR fans to extend full-hearted support to Karthik in the post-Gautam Gambhir era.

"I think it's our duty as people of Kolkata and Bengal to make Dinesh happy being here. Dinesh is ready to take on that mantle and hopefully he will do well. But first we have to show support," he said.

"My whole idea is to make Kolkata and my team proud. I hope each boy in our team plays well, stays healthy and is happy, and I think Kolkata would want that," he said.

KKR parted ways with Gambhir amicably, following a successful association of seven years during which he led KKR to their two IPL Trophies in 2012 and 2014.

"He's (Karthik) a very settled man, and so was Gauti. I can't thank him (Gambhir) enough. We had some conversations and it was mutually decided the way we're looking at the team was a little different concept."
"Dinesh was very happy (with the decision). We thought that we would have everything new. We had done that before also -- change the whole team and start anew."