'Told me that how should I go and take my batting' - Shashank Singh credits Brian Lara for boosting confidence in batting

Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Shashank Singh credited legendary West Indian Brian Lara for inculcating the belief and confidence that enhanced his batting mindset in the IPL. After an impressive unbeaten 52 off 36 balls that played a crucial role in PBKS’ 18-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mullanpur, Shashank opened up about the mentors who helped him get here.

The 33-year-old, who had a quiet season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022, scoring just 69 runs and eventually getting released, has found new life in PBKS colours since joining them in 2024. On Tuesday, walking in when his team was struggling at 90 for 5, Shashank played an impressive innings. His knock, laced with two fours and three sixes, was important in helping Punjab reach 219 in their allotted 20 overs.

"When I went into bat, we were five down for 90-odd. My plan was to play with minimal risk and maximum reward. My role was to give more strike to Priyansh. The way he was batting, I knew if he bats close to 15-16 overs, we will be close to 200 and 200 was a par score on this surface," Shashank said in the post-match interview.

We have to win those moments and stay in the present: Shashank Singh

Shashank reflected on his time under Brian Lara’s mentorship at SRH, mentioning how Lara helped him understand his own game better. Along with Lara, the batter spoke about the belief shown in him by the current PBKS coach Ricky Ponting.

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“When you enter the field, you don't think about the past performance or the future performance, it's just the bat and the ball, so my goal was to be on the wicket and maximise my scoring. Lara sir the way he told me about my batting, he told me that how should I go and take my batting, usually at 6-8, power-hitters come but I'm someone who times the ball. I’m lucky to have Ricky Ponting with me, before coming into the IPL (this season), I wasn’t playing that well in the nets but the way Ricky sir believed in me and backed me, kudos to him," he added.

Meanwhile, young sensation Priyansh Arya stole the show with a 103 off 42 balls, scoring the fastest IPL century by an uncapped Indian. Arya’s heroics helped the side get a solid start, and Shashank, with Marco Jansen (34*), stitched an unbeaten 65-run stand for the seventh wicket to ensure PBKS crossed 200.

"In match one, when he (Priyansh Arya) played against GT, he showed glimpses. He does it for his state side, he is doing the same here at the highest level, I’m very happy for him, he is a very bright prospect for the country as well. We have a very good side, we take it match by match, the side looks very good on paper, we have to win those moments and stay in the present," he concluded.