"You have to love this role": PBKS player Shashank Singh discusses his difficult IPL finishing role

Shashank Singh, a star batter for the Punjab Kings, talked about how he feels at home in the finishing position. Shashank talked about his preparations before a game and the support he receives from the PBKS management while performing one of the most difficult tasks of finishing matches.

Shashank, the fearless prodigy, has been a star for PBKS over the last two seasons, scoring 354 and 350 runs at a strike rate of more than 150. With his powerful finishing touches, he has assisted PBKS in winning multiple games.

Shashank has changed from being a top and middle order batsman to a finisher. He discussed his preparation for the position. In response to an inquiry from IndiaTV, Shashank stated, "The most important thing for this role is to love it," on JioStar Press Room. "You have to start loving this role, even though I only get to bat a few times and for a few balls in a match. I used to bat at Nos. 4 and 5 as a top-order hitter. However, I discovered the value of this role at SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and started to enjoy it," he continued.

The right-handed batter said that the PBKS management has supported him in this role since he got here in 2024. He also said that this is a high-risk job and that the team knows how important it is to do it. "Backing is very important." A lot of people don't know that I got kicked out of PBKS for a duck on my first outing with them in 2024. "But they have supported me, knowing that this job is risky," Shashank said.

Shashank then talked about how head coach Ricky Ponting, assistant coach Brad Haddin, and the rest of the support staff helped him get ready to finish matches. "Ricky sir (Ricky Ponting), Brad sir (Brad Haddin), and others have helped me a lot. They keep telling me how to play against certain bowlers in an upcoming match and what shots will be more rewarding. "We talked about this in great detail," he said.

The PBKS batter went into detail about how he gets ready for his role in the nets, emphasizing how he mimics the conditions of a game. Before a game, I use a simulation in the nets to get ready for what I might encounter. I bat for a shorter period of time and attempt to make the most impact because I am aware that my role will probably be restricted to the last 15 to 18 balls. We practice with the old ball, which has the reverse swing that occurs in the last few overs of a match, before the death bowlers arrive to bowl. Because of the proper preparation, there is a high level of confidence in performing the job in theBefore a game, I use a simulation in the nets to get ready for what I might encounter. I bat for a shorter period of time and attempt to make the most impact because I am aware that my role will probably be restricted to the last 15 to 18 balls.

The PBKS star then said that his team will win the IPL this season, which is what he had been hoping for. "I know that we will be playing at the Chinnaswamy on May 31st and winning the cup. I know this isn't just a feeling. This will happen. It's the belief in yourself and the team. Everyone is in agreement. He said, "Everyone has faith in each other."

"We'll take it one match at a time because our goal is to win a trophy. If we keep thinking we made it to the final last year, we'll be under a lot of stress. "Right now, our main goal is to get ready for our first game against GT, and then against CSK and KKR," he said. "The main goal is to make it to the final and win." But we need to pay attention to each match and fix our mistakes, which will be easier. We are very excited and motivated to be in the same group. He went on to say, "We are better prepared than we were last year."

On March 31, the Gujarat Titans, who won the IPL in 2022, will be the first team PBKS plays in the IPL 2026 season. The game will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.