New Delhi, India

Shashank Singh (61 not out) proved to be the hero for Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) as they romped past Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets in the chase of 200 in match 17 of IPL 2024, in Ahmedabad, on Thursday (April 4). Chasing 200, Punjab were 70 for 4 and further reduced to 111 for 5 before Shashank, an uncapped Indian player, turned it around by taking on every bowler and was also assisted by Ashutosh Sharma (17-ball 31*) in a thrilling run-chase.

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Shashank, who was bought by mistake by the Punjab outfit in the IPL 2024 mini-auction, showed great temperament to hang in there and find the boundaries at regular intervals. He hit 6 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 210.34. His 29-ball 61* stunned Gill & Co. who were in charge of the 200-run defence before being blown away by the right-hander.

At the post-match presentation, Shashank said, "Still trying to sink in, I vision these things but turning it into reality feels great. I play cricketing shots, I bat at No. 7 but today I batted at No. 5. The bounce was very good, 200 scored by both teams so the wicket was fantastic."

He added, "I don't see the names, I react to the bowler and play my shots accordingly. Couldn't get much matches before, last to last year for SRH but the management, the coaching staff has really backed me and I was very confident."

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Notably, Shashank created a lot of buzz during last year's mini-auction in December in Dubai. Punjab denied buying the player despite the hammer going down, however, later it was clarified that there was some confusion due to two players having the same name. They confirmed that they got the right player eventually.

Later, PBKS wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "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."

Also read: IPL 2024, Match 17: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – Match preview and result prediction

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With Shashank making a mark in the IPL, Robin Uthappa revealed that the 32-year-old was his teammate at the now-defunct Pune Warriors India (PWI).

Speaking on Jio Cinema, Uthappa said, "Shashank Singh was with me in Pune Warriors India in 2011 and then kind of quietly did his time in the IPL. He was in a lot of franchises and never got the opportunity. He is a very quiet kid, someone, who quietly works in the background, soft-spoken an absolute gentleman. Tried to apply his trade in Mumbai, but didn't make it there. or didn't get much of an opportunity because it's not a boisterous kind of out-there kind of youngster, um, but always had the talent going to Pondicherry. It didn't work out there. So it's kind of been around the block and he's kind of bided his time and got his due."

Dhawan-led Punjab are now at the fifth spot, one above GT, and will now host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home, at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday (April 9).