The SHASHANK SINGH journey in the Premier League (IPL) is a story of gravel, determination and moments of pure brilliance. From grinding in local tournaments to its first -class debut for Chhattisgarh in 2019, Shashank quietly chased his versatile skills and prepared for a big scene.
He made his debut in 2022 with Sunrisers Hyderabad and later showed up on Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. But it was with the Pandjab Kings that he really announced. In the 2024 season, Shashank created MasterClass winning a match against Gujarat Titans, Breaking undefeated 61* out of only 29 balls Direct your team to an exciting final victory.
The following year, in the finals of 2025, increased again on this occasion. Despite the narrow defeat for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, its resistant 61* of 30 balls, peppered by six towering with six, showed players unshamedled with pressure and capable of turning the tide with one hand.
SHASHANK SINGH with more than 700 IPL runs and five half -shooting on his name was carved by a niche as a reliable finisher, a game changer and a player whose presence in the field can inspire his team when it matters most.
Sport recently caught up with Shashank Singh, who remains determined to achieve his dream of playing for India. He also shared insight into his journey with the Pandjab Kings and thought about how IPL had shaped her career.
Here are some excerpts from the Shashank Singh interview
Q.1 As a 32 -year -old late Bloomer, how did you transform the Kings pandjab with the power of the affection and was the moment you felt, “IPL is made for me”?
Shashank: I am very grateful for the fact that the pandjab accepted me as their finisher. To be honest, it took a lot of hard work. After I was dropped from the auctions after my SRH STINT, my thinking of cricket – and especially the interference of force – changed. That year I was determined to make a brand in IPL; I wanted to become a superstar. My role, whether four, five or six, has always ended, and I fully accepted it.
If you ask me the moment I felt I really belong to this level, it was Gujarat 27. April in Ahmedabad. This match made me realize that I could compete with the best – to deal with pitch -ups like Rashid and Umesh Yadav – and contribute meaningfully to the team victory. Two years earlier I scored 25 out of 6 balls against Gujarat, but we lost this match. This time my performance helped to ensure victory, and it changed. Success is most important when it contributes to the victory of the team.
Q.2) Criket T20 develops every year and as a finisher you have to go from Ball One. How do you train your mind and prepare for modern T20 challenges, with consistent borders, innovative bowling and growing intensity?
Shashank: It is very important to know your own game. For example, I finish matches differently from Ashutosh, Marcus Stoinis or Glenn Maxwell. Each player has his own style and is essential to understand what works for you and what doesn’t. Soon in my career, I have ever tried to copy others – like watching Maxwell in networks and thinking, “Why can’t I play like him?” But I realized it wasn’t about why I couldn’t, it’s that it’s not my way to play.
Now I’m mature enough to understand my strengths. In most games I usually come around the 15th or 16th, I face only 20–24 balls. So it doesn’t make sense to burn for hours in networks. From the ball one in practice I focus on scoring runs and boundaries.
Innovations are equally important. With a video analysis and support of our team – such as Saurav Valkar, our video analyst – I can study what the managers are likely to do next season and identify areas where my strike could be lower. For example, this year I incorporated a ramp after a discussion about strategies with Ricky Sir. During the season we even had a two -hour training with Ricky Sir, Brad Haddin Sir and Sunil Joshi Sir and focused only on playing yorkers with ramps.
Lineful training focuses on the power that is necessary in a modern cricket necessary to clean the ball boundaries. Innovation, however, also means knowing what shots you like. Some shots do not suit you and find alternatives – for example, I prefer to sweep over the switches. Everything comes to understanding your strengths, receiving restrictions and being smart about your approach.
Q.3) June 2025 IPL Final was a heartfelt moment for the king of Pandjab, with you at the height of something unprecedented. How are you as a team star, how did you match this loss in the dressing room and how to prepare mentally for the next season?
Shashank: It was hard. I usually am a very practical person, but the first two or three hours after the loss were extremely difficult. We had to attend a presentation and a small meeting before everyone went home, and during that time it was difficult to put my feelings in words. It was a personal loss for me, because I fired in this final – I faced 25-30 balls and we still couldn’t win.
I normally accept defeats and I believe that you will always win some in the cricket and some learn. Usually I know that the next day will bring a new beginning. But the night was different – there were my parents and I always dreamed of being a star in big matches. It’s in my blood; I wanted to be a hero, a man of moment in the key knockout of the games. I had a chance, but I know I could play better.
Even in the coming weeks, during our state league in Raipur, my mental focus was not 100%. I was constantly playing moments from the finals and thought, “Why didn’t I hit the ball?” or “Why was it a dot?” The little moments, like Jitesh, hit the border of a wide slower ball, they were still coming back to me. These moments hurt, but now I focus more on improving these specific points than why I didn’t.
Q.) Your passion and drive are obvious. Did you motivate challenges and ridicule on your cricket path – as if they were overlooked in the state cricket or faced obstacles before the breakthrough of the IPL? What is that is constantly pushing you to success despite obstacles?
Shashank: There were many challenges and mockery on the way. People often say, “It’s been so many years, why are you still playing cricket? Start doing business, do something else.” Everyone has their own opinions and you really can’t control it. Even at family gatherings, people ask when I will play on TV or go well in the cricket of the wound. It’s hard because most people do not understand the efforts that require to play the ranji match.
But it is all about faith. I’m really blessed to have a family – my mom, dad and sister – that has always been my columns. They believed in me even though I wasn’t selected for IPL or when I fought in cricket. There were times when I was thinking about leaving, moving to the US or trying something else, but my family kept me running.
Even now that people comment on my age or career, I focus on my performance. The numbers, matches I helped win, and the impact I had for each team that I played for myself. I’m not saying I’m the best but I let my work talk.
Q.) You did miracles for Kings panda, but the competition of the Indian cap is wild and every year is just harder. How do you stay motivated, keeping a dream of wearing Indian jersey alive and at the same time manage intensive pressure and competition?
Shashank: I focus on competition with myself. When measured according to my own standards, there is no limitation of what I can achieve. I left my performances, skills and impacts winning the match to speak for why I should be in the Indian team rather than compare with others.
Playing for India has been my dream since I started a professional cricket-pack in my years until I was 16 and within 19 days when my father gave me my first bag to play. Yes, I’m close now and knocking on the door, but when the opportunity comes, I don’t know. I am not afraid of competition. I did in a cricket and I believe that the right moment will come when the skills and happiness align, and selectioners see me as a true fit. One thing I can assure is that I will be there.
QUESTION 🙂 Does Sarpanch Shreyasji motivate you in many ways?
Shashank: Yes, it’s someone I really look at – not as a captain, but as a good friend. He leads in the field as a captain, but outside the field I really admire him as a man. We also often talk about our Indian challenges and I believe that both will happen to us.
– ends
Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
October 3, 2025
