Batter for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Shashank Singh, gave appreciation to the great West Indian Brian Lara for fostering the faith and self-assurance that improved his batting approach in the IPL. Following an outstanding undefeated fifty-two off thirty-six balls, which was instrumental in PBKS defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eighteen runs in Mullanpur, Shashank talked candidly about the mentors who guided him to this point.
The 33-year-old has found new life in PBKS colours since joining them in 2024. He had a lacklustre season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022, hitting just 69 runs before being released. When his team was at 90 for 5 on Tuesday, Shashank came in and played a strong innings. With two fours and three sixes throughout his knock, Punjab managed to reach 219 in the 20 overs they were given.
“When I went into bat, we were five down for 90-odd. My plan was to play with minimal risk and maximum reward. My role was to give more strike to Priyansh. The way he was batting, I knew if he bats close to 15-16 overs, we will be close to 200 and 200 was a par score on this surface,” Shashank said in the post-match interview.
We have to win those moments and stay in the present: Shashank Singh
Shashank reflected on his time under Brian Lara’s mentorship at SRH, mentioning how Lara helped him understand his own game better. Along with Lara, the batter spoke about the belief shown in him by the current PBKS coach Ricky Ponting.
“When you enter the field, you don’t think about the past performance or the future performance, it’s just the bat and the ball, so my goal was to be on the wicket and maximise my scoring. Lara sir the way he told me about my batting, he told me that how should I go and take my batting, usually at 6-8, power-hitters come but I’m someone who times the ball. I’m lucky to have Ricky Ponting with me, before coming into the IPL (this season), I wasn’t playing that well in the nets but the way Ricky sir believed in me and backed me, kudos to him,” he added.
Meanwhile, young sensation Priyansh Arya stole the show with a 103 off 42 balls, scoring the fastest IPL century by an uncapped Indian. Arya’s heroics helped the side get a solid start, and Shashank, with Marco Jansen (34*), stitched an unbeaten 65-run stand for the seventh wicket to ensure PBKS crossed 200.
“In match one, when he (Priyansh Arya) played against GT, he showed glimpses. He does it for his state side, he is doing the same here at the highest level, I’m very happy for him, he is a very bright prospect for the country as well. We have a very good side, we take it match by match, the side looks very good on paper, we have to win those moments and stay in the present,” he concluded.
India
