Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer made a surprise selection in the draw against Rajasthan Royals, leaving out middle-order mainstay Shashank Singh due to a reported injury. The decision comes after Shashanka’s recent struggles in the field, where repeated lapses in catching have hurt the team’s overall performance.
The challenge added another layer of intrigue to the high-stakes top-of-the-table clash in Mullanpur, with Punjab Kings entering the match unbeaten while Rajasthan Royals were looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“We have one forced change,” said Shreyas Iyer after losing the toss and being asked to bat first by RR captain Riyan Parag. “So Suryansh (Shedge) comes in for Shashank and the other one is Lockie (Ferguson) comes in for Xavier Bartlett.
Shashank Singh’s numbers have painted an unflattering picture this season with just 3 catches from 8 chances and 5 drops for a 37.50% catch efficiency. PBKS fought as a unit in the field and Shashank’s mistakes were a visible part of that narrative. In fact, he was substituted after his howling against the Delhi Capitals began to cost the team dearly. His drop KL Rahul, at the start of this game, was remarkable as Rahul scored an unbeaten 152the highest individual score by an Indian in the Indian Premier League.
Despite the daunting target set by DC after Rahul’s blitzkrieg with the bat, PBKS chased down the target with seven balls to spare. Shahasnk, however, balanced his erratic play with useful lower-order contributions, scoring 70 runs at a blistering 194.44, often finishing the innings strongly.
Shreyas also expressed his heartfelt condolences to Azmatalluahu Omarzai on the loss of his mother during the toss. “On behalf of the entire team, I just want to share our sincere condolences to Azmatullah Omarzai and his family for their loss. We are all there to support him in everything,” he added.
CALL INJURY OR FORM REMEDY?
While the official explanation points to an injury, the timing of the omission has sparked debate given Shashank’s inconsistent form in the field. The move suggests that Punjab Kings are increasingly prioritizing sharpness in the field as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak in a busy season.
RR MAKE YOUR OWN CHANGES
Rajasthan Royals also made two changes to their playing XI, replacing Shimron Hetmyer and Yash Punj with Ravi Bishnoi Dasun Shanak as they look to recalibrate after their five-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, a match highlighted by 15-year-old explosive Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s century.
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Published on:
28 Apr 2026 19:44 IST
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