‘Not disappointed, stopped expecting things’ - Shashank Singh takes disappointment in stride, focuses on future after Zimbabwe series snub

Shashank Singh was the talk of the town during IPL 2024. He had a horrible time following the IPL auction as soon after that, Punjab Kings claimed that they had signed the player by mistake. However, statements later clarified the situation but the incident eventually made Shashank hungry for runs which made him unstoppable at one point in the tournament.

Batting in the middle order, Shashank smashed 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 164.25. He played a pivotal role in Punjab’s wins but yet, the 32-year-old failed to find a place in India’s squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. The majority of the players featuring in the ongoing T20 World Cup have been given a break from the series, which could have opened doors for Shashank but the selection committee decided otherwise.

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Shashank, however, isn’t disappointed as he is aware of the hard work that needs to be put in. The all-rounder talked about the importance of improving his bowling, fielding and fitness to perform better and get into the national side. He believes that not getting into the squad this time was a reality check for him and stated that players who are selected for the series have earned their place in the team.

“Not at all disappointed. I’ve stopped expecting things from myself or anyone else. But it helped me know how much harder I have to work in the future to get there. My bowling, fielding, and fitness are a few things I have to work on. I get a reality check as well when these squads get announced—that I have to work so much if I have to compete with the best,” Shashank told InsideSport.

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“When you see the squad, all the players deserve their place thoroughly. Players like Nitish (Reddy) and Riyan (Parag) have done exceedingly well in the domestic circuit and the IPL. I know that I’m somewhere near, but it’ll take some time for me to get noticed. In a good way, I’ll work even harder and make sure that I get recognized more during the selection meeting,” he added.