Year after IPL breakthrough, Shashank finds renewed purpose in role as finisher

With the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL)—India’s showpiece cricketing event— knocking on the door, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) franchisee did not want to leave any stone unturned in their bid for a maiden title.

While a majority of the newly revamped side’s players are attending to their national or state duties, those available in India trained at Mahajan Cricket Ground, IT Park, here recently. Among them is one of the finds of the tournament’s 2024 edition, Shashank Singh.

The explosive batter was among the eight players who underwent rigorous three-hour training sessions, including fitness drills and practice nets, in Chandigarh.

He had left everyone in awe at last year’s edition, scoring 354 runs in 14 matches with an average of 44.25 after being famously bought by the franchise in a “mistake”. Punjab Kings, however, failed to make the knockouts but he exudes confidence of the side putting up a better show under a new coach and a new skipper.

“We have the best team this year, and there’s no question of not winning the title,” said a confident Shashank, adding, “After the auction, I was happy to see the Punjab Kings line-up. It will be a great experience to play under the experience of Ricky Ponting, and our new skipper, Shreyas Iyer.”

The right-handed batter shot to fame after his unbeaten match-winning innings of 61 off 29 balls against Gujarat Titans. Punjab managed to chase down the target of 200 in 19.5 overs as Shashank became an overnight sensation. Owing to more such innings, Punjab Kings retained the lanky 33-year-old for Rs 5.5 crore.

The grateful batter is now focused on what lies ahead. Facing “mystery” spinners, which Shashank believes will be a challenge for the batters this year, is a key drill from the sessions in Chandigarh.

Punjab Kings have also organised off-season camps at Mumbai, and is planning to hold some sessions at their second home ground, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamsala.

“This year, we have started early preparation. During our camps in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Dharamsala, we are very specific about training according to our roles. Mystery spinners will be a real challenge in the IPL 2025, and as I play in the middle-order....I am focusing more on facing such bowlers during practice sessions,” said the 33-year-old.

Shashank in particular is also looking to perfect his role as a “finisher” for the side.

“We will be looking for a better home record this year. Last season, I played important innings in a couple of matches...but this time, I am looking for a bigger role and better opportunities. In this format of the game, the middle order plays an important role and I am prepared for it. We have excellent facilities here, and the management is providing every possible help,” he said.

Another explosive batsman, Prabhsimran Singh, all-rounder Harpreet Brar, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey and Kuldeep Sen are also attending the camp in Chandigarh.