Chandigarh: In the high-stakes world of IPL, stories of resilience often fly under the radar until a bolt from the blue performance changes everything. For Shashank Singh, that moment arrived during a 200-run chase against Gujarat Titans in 2024, where his belligerent 29-ball 61* turned a cherished dream into a match-winning reality.Shashank revealed the team’s internal mantra, “This year is a trophy year for us. I spoke to Shreyas a few days back… we are all manifesting that this year we will win the trophy,” Shashank said. Shashank credits a significant part of his evolution to head coach Ricky Ponting. Recalling a lean patch during practice games last year, Shashank shared how a conversation with the Australian legend changed his mindset. “Ricky sir came and told me, ‘Shashank, we have retained you, you’re getting 14-15 matches. Just go and express yourself.’ My focus shifted from individual performance to a team’s collective effort,” he recalled.“Personally, last year was very important, and this year is equally important. But last year felt more critical because I didn’t want that ‘one-year wonder’ tag, where you play well once and the next season is just okay. Now, it’s about when to win. We just have to win the cup.”Shashank remains grounded about his role. While fans often call for him to bat higher up the order, he remains committed to the finishing role. “Power hitting is one thing, but finishing the match is what I crave,” he said, noting that his experience in those high-pressure moments is what the team needs most.
