Mullanpur (Punjab), April 9: Punjab Kings’ middle-order star Shashank Singh delivered a blistering 52* in a dominant win over Chennai Super Kings, and he credits none other than West Indies legend Brian Lara for shaping his balanced and impactful batting approach.
Shashank, known for his composed yet fierce style, played a crucial finishing role in Punjab Kings’ total of 219/6 after opener Priyansh Arya struck his maiden T20 century. Punjab went on to seal an 18-run victory—marking their third win of the IPL 2025 season.
Reflecting on his development as a batter, the 33-year-old revealed how Lara’s advice during their time at Sunrisers Hyderabad proved pivotal. “Brian Lara told me, especially batting at No. 6 or 7, it’s not always about power-hitting. You don’t need to be like Russell or Pollard. He told me to trust my instincts and focus on timing,” Shashank recalled during the post-match press conference.
Despite a modest stint at SRH—just 69 runs at an average of 17.25—Lara’s simple message helped reshape his game. “If I’m not a power hitter, I must rely on angles and timing. That mindset has really kept me going,” he added.
Shashank also praised the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting for instilling confidence and clarity within the squad. “Shreyas has been very approachable and positive. There are no ifs and buts in his messaging,” Shashank said. “After a poor practice game, Shreyas even messaged me, saying Ricky sir believes in me and that I just need to time the ball well. That meant a lot.”
He emphasized that support from the management is often as important as skill at this level. “It’s not always about technique—it’s the mental setup that matters,” he said.
As the playoff race heats up, Shashank underlined the importance of winning home games. “To qualify for playoffs, home wins are vital. Last year didn’t go well at home, but this year we’ve worked hard before the IPL to understand the conditions better—and it’s showing in our results.”
With confidence and momentum on their side, Punjab Kings will look to continue their impressive run as IPL 2025 progresses.