Shashank Singh – this is one name which will b spoken about a lot in the coming days in the IPL 2024. On Thursday, when all hope was lost for Punjab Kings while chasing a 200-run total against Gujarat Titans, Shashank Singh emerged as the Shikhar Dhawan-led team’s hero. The batting allrounder scored 61* off just 29 balls to take his team to a win in 19.5 overs. He hit four sixes and six fours as PBKS registered their second win in four matches in the IPL 2024.
However, Shashank Singh’s induction into the PBKS ranks had a hint of controversy last year. Towards the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, Shashank Singh was roped in for Rs 20 lakh by Punjab Kings. But soon after he was picked in the accelerated auction, there seemed to be some confusion going by the gestures of Punjab Kings co-owners Ness Wadia and Preity Zinta. When Shashank’s name was brought up, Preity Zinta raised the paddle after discussing the player with her team. The player was quickly sold as no other franchise bid for him, and the hammer went down.
As there seemed to be some confusion, auctioneer Mallik Sagar said: “It was a wrong name? You don’t want the player?” asked Mallika. “We are talking about Shashank Singh. But the hammer has come down. Player No. 236 and 237 both went to you. I think the hammer has come down for 237 (Shashank) as well,” she said.
Than incident led to social media storm on how Punjab Kings did not want a player which it had just bought. However, Punjab Kings on Wednesday issued a clarification: “Punjab Kings would like to clarify that Shashank Singh was always on our target list. The confusion was due to 2 players of the same name being on the list. We are delighted to have him onboard and see him contribute to our success.
After Shashank’s latest heroics, the auction confusion memes flooded the internet.
How to show gratitude towards Shashank Singh.
— Jahir-ul (@Zuheb_786) April 4, 2024
Punjab Kings match-winner Shashank Singh said that his mentality of always going in to bat thinking he is the best helped him conquer the imposing 200-run target set by Gujarat Titans in an IPL game here on Thursday.
Shashank slammed an unbeaten 29-ball 61 as PBKS won the match by three wickets on the penultimate ball of the thrilling match.
“They (senior players) are the legends of the game, but when I go to bat I think I am the best. You get experience, couldn’t get a lot of matches before. Here the owners and coaching staff backed me. I was very confident,” said the 32-year-old all-rounder, who outshone GT skipper Shubman Gill on the day with his pyrotechnics and winning mentality.
