A few days prior to its anticipated arrival last year, Diwali unexpectedly arrived at Shashank Singh's doorstep. Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon and general manager Ashish Tuli delivered the auspicious news just as preparations for the festival of lights were in full swing. Shashank learned that he was one of the two cricketers—alongside Prabhsimran Singh—whom PBKS would retain for the upcoming IPL cycle. Shortly thereafter, he received a WhatsApp message from the newly appointed head coach, Ricky Ponting. Following his impressive performance in IPL 2024, Shashank's life took another positive turn.

"It was a significant moment for me," Shashank remarked with a youthful grin. "I received a call in the evening, though I can't recall the exact date. It was two or three days before Diwali. They informed me that I was being finalized for retention and that I would receive a form to sign by the next day. That was it! The form arrived the following day around 11 PM. I completed it, and it was all set. The process was very straightforward—there was no negotiation, no discussion of amounts; everything went smoothly," he explained, noting that he was PBKS's first retention at ₹5.5 crore.

After scoring 354 runs at a strike rate of 164.65 the previous year, Shashank was aware of the possibility of being retained, yet his past experiences kept him from feeling at ease.

"Throughout my years in cricket, I have experienced numerous highs and lows during auctions. You can never be certain about securing a team. Leading up to the retentions, I encountered conflicting reports regarding my prospects with PBKS, which understandably caused me concern. However, when the call finally came, I felt an immense sense of relief."

Shashank had ample reason to feel a sense of relief. Over the past few years, he and his family have endured numerous challenges. Rejection had become commonplace during the auctions, and even when he was chosen, opportunities to play were scarce. It took him multiple rounds with three different teams before he finally made his IPL debut in 2022 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He impressively hit three consecutive sixes off Lockie Fergusson, yet a lack of playing time and some setbacks left him once again without a team at the following year's auction.

He vividly recalls the anxious expressions on his parents and sister's faces. "When you play cricket, your family is also part of that journey. Their support is crucial. Each year before the auctions, my mom, dad, and sister would be extremely tense. This time, however, that pressure was absent. The greatest relief for me was witnessing them enjoy the auction for the first time."

Shashank's return to the IPL was nothing short of a significant event. Punjab Kings raised their paddle for the powerful all-rounder, but immediately after the auction concluded, they frantically sought to persuade the auctioneer to reverse the bidding, as they did not intend to acquire him. Subsequently, the franchise issued a statement asserting that it was a case of mistaken identity due to another player with the same name being listed.

Nonetheless, there was no ambiguity when the tournament commenced. With impressive performances of 61* off 29 balls against Gujarat Titans, 46* off 25 against SRH, and 68* off 28 against Kolkata Knight Riders— the latter contributing to a record T20 run chase—Shashank firmly established himself as a formidable big-hitting finisher.

The level of trust demonstrated by this franchisee was significant for me. Consider the scenario of an IPL team retaining only two uncapped players, and you happen to be one of them; the pride and enthusiasm in Shashank's voice were unmistakable.

'Shashank match jeeta ke aayega'

"Shashank will return victorious from the match." Another notable aspect was his profound self-confidence, which some may perceive as bordering on overconfidence. However, one must ask, which superstar has achieved greatness without a hint of boldness?

"Shashank will return victorious from the match." Amidst reflections on the past and aspirations for the future during our discussion, it is impossible not to be drawn into the notion of Shashank leading his team to victory. He possesses a unique quality. Years of hardship have forged his resilience. His ambition to succeed has taken him through two different states before he ultimately returned to his birthplace—Chhattisgarh.

Shashank, originally from Bhilai, first encountered serious cricket in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 16, he relocated to Mumbai, which brought him face-to-face with the competitive nature of the sport. Sharing the dressing room with notable players such as Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and Suryakumar Yadav during age-group competitions underscored the need for him to elevate his game. After discussions with his mentor, Abey Kuruvilla, he returned to Chhattisgarh.

The journey was fraught with challenges, both during the day and at night, yet Shashank maintained unwavering confidence in his skills. He found himself in a cycle of participating in first-class cricket, attending IPL trials, and awaiting selection during the auction, ultimately achieving success in 2024. He recognizes that the forthcoming season will present even greater challenges, as teams are now aware of his capabilities. His franchise anticipates that he will contribute to match victories.

"I prefer to view it not as pressure but as an added responsibility. Every player encounters this level of responsibility at some stage in their career. When I am at the crease, I want my teammates to feel assured that I will see the game through," he remarked.

Although Shashank's batting position does not always permit him to be the leading scorer, he does not aspire to be. His message to the PBKS management is unequivocal: "You have placed your trust in me, and I am committed to doing everything possible to secure victories."

"Last year, I managed to win one or two matches, so this year, my goal is to ensure that I can achieve three or four. That number should increase. I view this as a significant opportunity to repay the faith placed in me."

'I'm no Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins but I can win games with the ball'

Although expectations primarily centred on his batting, Shashank, as noted by Harsha Bhogle, "simply showed up and bowled" during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming the wicket of the in-form Abhishek Sharma with his very first delivery. While the Impact Player rule has yet to showcase this facet of Shashank's game to the fans, he is recognized as a genuine all-rounder in domestic cricket.

Last year, he emerged as Chhattisgarh's leading bowler in a Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 match against Vidarbha, securing three wickets in four overs during a high-scoring encounter.

"I have dedicated significant effort to improving my bowling because my two overs can alter the entire team's dynamics. I understand my limitations and am aware of my strengths. I do not claim to be a Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins, but if I can deliver my 18 balls in the right areas, I can help secure victories," he stated, thumping his chest as he made a promise: "When I next sit for an interview with you during the IPL or afterwards, you will certainly discuss my bowling more."

Shashank's promises are always compelling when he is in the spotlight, and head coach Ricky Ponting, along with new captain Shreyas Iyer, has granted him the freedom to express himself. "I have had discussions with Ricky. He has observed my bowling and intends to utilize me more as a bowler at some point. With his decade of coaching experience, he aims to help me rectify the mistakes I made last year and has shared valuable insights on how to handle specific match situations," Shashank elaborated.

On reuniting with Shreyas, Shashank believes it will only enhance their connection and provide him with greater freedom to express himself. "Shreyas has remained unchanged over the years. Despite his numerous achievements for India across all formats, he approaches life with the same mindset. Having someone like him as our captain is invaluable. He has played internationally, scored runs, and won the IPL, so he understands what it takes to lead a team to success. He has discussed my role with me and how I can contribute more effectively."

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