Mumbai -born cricketer Shashank Singh A rollercaster ride in the Indian Premier League. After representing Delhi Daredevils (2017), Rajasthan Royals (2019–21), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022), and now with Punjab Kings (PBK).
However, in the 2023 auction, Shashank became unsold, a phase that he had accepted was difficult to process. But he strongly bounced back the PBKS decision to plant them for 20 lakhs in 2024 for INR 20 lakhs. His hero, including an unbeaten 61* and one match winner 68* vs Kolkata Knight Riders, made him one of the most reliable finishers in Punjab. In particular, PBK maintained it on a large scale IPL 2025 for IPL 2025 for 5.50 crores.
In a special conversation with the Cricketcker, Shashank reflected on his IPL career and future goals. He also said about the captaincy of PBK in a game this season. The 33 -year -old also admitted that the competition to make it in the national team inspires it instead of adding pressure.
Some excerpts:
You mostly bat in the lower-medieval order. When you come late and only a few overs are left, what is your mindset at that time?
I always try to be calm, because when you go out to bat, there are many thoughts going on in your mind. In these years, I have realized that all this is about being in the present moment. Sometimes, you get stuck in the past or start thinking much further about how to win the game. But in fact, it's about focusing on the ball that is coming to you and playing it correctly. I do my best to create my creation and trust myself that if I remain calm, I will be able to do well for my team.
You also lead in the 50s and counting of 30+ scores as a finisher in the IPL. Which technique or mentality helps you distribute these impressive innings for your team repeatedly?
It is always very good that a global program like IPL has scored the most in the finishing role 50 and 30s, especially when you are some of the world's best players in the world like Nicholas Dorn and Heinrich Klassen. I understand that I am doing something right. I really believe that this is possible because I focus on staying at the crease and do not eliminate the situation. My purpose is to always obtain maximum returns with minimal risk. For me, being on the wicket is the most important thing, so I can help take my team forward in the game
Looking at your IPL 2024 and 2025 statistics – 520 runs at 65 average, the top scorer in the death over, and not most times – what would you say about that performance?
I always think if I am not, who will win it for the team? At that level, it is very important to take responsibility. I have seen many players at domestic and club levels who shy away from taking that responsibility, but I have always been someone who likes to step. I believe this is possible because I am giving my best there. If I do not believe in myself, who else will do? For me, self-confidence is everything. When I believe in myself, I know anything is possible. Whatever number I am entering today is a result of that strong self -confidence – the belief that I can do it for my team
Also, whenever you batted 4 or 5 posts, your average was 70.29 with a strike rate of 170.83. What is the secret behind this stability and explosive?
One important thing I have learned in life, especially from AB de Villiers, is to accept things as they come. People talk about my average being around 70 and my strike rate is more than 170 at 4 or 5, but certainly there were raids where I got out for single-scores. I have always learned that you have to move beyond failures quickly. Just accept them, because at the end of the day, you are only human. I understood that the early game is part on that failure, and acceptance is important. I still strongly believe that I am the best, but at the same time, I have learned to accept that sometimes you fail. This mentality helps me bounce back the next day and aims to live in a better area.
You were unsold in the IPL 2023 auction. How did you deal with that experience, and what did you learn from it?
I was really hurt because I had high expectations from myself. That season turned out to be an average for me, and I know that I could perform much better. The mistake I made was establishing a lot of expectations for the next year. I was living in a future that was not present yet. That year taught me a lot, especially with the support and advice of my mother, father and sister. At one point, I also felt that cricket was probably not for me. But then I realized that whatever I really wanted was the confidence to give a hard push in myself. I always wanted to be the best white ball player in the country. People often say that batting declines at number 6 or number 7, but I wanted to prove them wrong. Today, I think I am on the right path towards achieving that goal.
In IPL 2025, you captained PBK in a match. When do you see yourself becoming a permanent captain for your state team? How are you preparing yourself for that responsibility?
I am very keen to lead the state team. I don't know why, but I believe that I have that cricket brain, cricket smartness. I also have the peace that is necessary for a captain. When you talk about the match in which the credit was injured, I was the captain. I led the match. It was against Rajasthan Royals and was a difficult match as it was a qualifying match. So I believe that I have played in Bombay as well as in Die Patil. So I have played in many franchises. I have played under Steve Smith. I have not played in matches, but I was in the team. Ken Williamson was there, Rohit Sharma was there, Shreyas was there. So I caught many things with these people. So now I think it is the right time for me to lead my kingdom. Because even now when I have to talk to other players, the way I explain to them, my rest level and I feel that now is the time when I have to give back to my kingdom. What they have done for me, now it is the right time to give my kingdom. I also need to win those championships for state cricket. So I am very keen to lead my state side. I mean it is under management, but white ball format, I am very keen to lead and I know that our state is so talented … just we have to nurture them. It is important to develop a culture. The way I played cricket in Punjab last year, I realized that it is very important to develop a culture. Therefore, I want to bring that culture into my state's cricket too. And this year some championships win.
You recently received the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all -rounder in domestic cricket. Do you think it strengthens the possibility of your call-up of India?
I can't say that I expect such a thing. I have won the Lala Amarnath Award, I have performed, I have taken wickets, I have taken a catch. Obviously, I have done everything. But India, again, is India dream. But then, if I say I hope, yes, I know I am somewhere close. I am close to that thing. But then, if I think about it again and again, I will be under pressure. Therefore, it is nice to hear that I have won an award which is difficult. You play cricket in 35 states. In every state, there are many all-rounders. They bat, they bowl, they do it well. But again, there is a big thing to rise up. Again, there is a lot of hard work, a lot of support from people. Fans have support, coaches have support, my family support. What are you saying about being close, I think I am close. But then, my job is to play 100% honestly. And of course, I am sure that good things will happen. So, you told me that the call-up will be. But then, it will be step by step. And I think I am very close and whatever happens will be very soon.
India's bench strength is very strong. Does this competition inspire you or put pressure on you?
You are playing the game, you are playing the biggest game in India. You are going to a global program so you are under pressure but you have chosen this game. There is no question of pressure. This team has a healthy competition. Everyone is doing well, I am not saying that in the Indian cricket team, which we are playing at this level. Nobody wants to defeat anyone. Everyone wants to be better than themselves, I want to be better than last year. I want to get better again next year. I want to be my own competition. I know I am doing very well; I am the best But I want to be my best version. As I told you, my first season was very good, but I wanted to do better that I do not want to compare, I want to be my best version. The competition is a fight that I want to do better than myself, which I do not want to compare. This is a good thing for a country, for a state. Whenever you are playing, there is a competition, your graph goes up.
Yuzvendra Chahal took four wickets in one of the sports in IPL 2025, winning a low scoring encounter on KKR. How was the atmosphere of the dressing room after that game?
In the 18 -year history of IPL, such a match has never happened before. Even at the domestic or club level, I have never experienced anything like this. The team scored around 100 runs, and I scored 18 runs. This was one of those Gozbump moments. I really need to go back and see highlights as I talk to you. Yuji bowled incredibly well in that game, and after that performance, we were pumped completely. These such matches are not once every season – they come once in 15 or 20 years. You won't believe it, but I have played in places such as Chinnaswamy, Wankhede, and Chepuk, where fan is completely crazy and well known worldwide. But in this special match, each ball was pleased by our supporters. Everyone believed that we would pull it, even after scoring just 111 runs. I have been a part of many matches where Mahi Bhai, Virat Bhai, or Rohit Bhai came out to bat, but I was never a part of such a game. This is a very rare moment in the history of cricket. Everyone who supported us in the stadium believed that we would win that match. I still remember everyone “Pbks! Pbk!” When I lost my last wicket, I continued to field in Deep Square leg.
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