IPL 2024: Dale Steyn reacts to 'wrong purchase' Shashank Singh's stunning heroics against KKR

South Africa legend Dale Steyn came up with a heartwarming message for Shashank Singh after his heroics against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday (April 28) at the Eden Gardens.

The right-handed batsman continued his stunning run in IPL 2024 to help PBKS pull off a record 262-run chase against the two-time IPL champions in their own backyard. Asked to bat first, KKR posted a mammoth total of 261/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Phil Salt and Sunil Narine starred with the bat once again, scoring 75 and 71 runs respectively to power KKR to their second 260-plus total this season. 

In reply, PBKS chased down the huge total in 18.4 overs. Jonny Bairstow was the architect of the win with his unbeaten century while Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh scored whirlwind half-centuries. Prabhsimran set the tone for the chase by smashing an 18-ball fifty inside the powerplay before Bairstow took charge.

After Rilee Rossouw departed for 26 runs in the 13th over, Shashank Singh took charge of the innings. PBKS still needed 84 runs in less than eight overs when Shashank Singh walked out to bat. He fired on all cylinders from the very start to power PBKS to a historic win. The right-handed batsman smashed two fours and eight sixes to remain unbeaten on 68 from just 28 balls. 

Dale Steyn's message for Shashank Singh:

Dale Steyn did not take long to react to Shashank Singh's stunning knock against KKR. Soon after the PBKS batter starred with the bat in the record chase, the former South Africa pace spearhead took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his delight over the batsman's performance.

Recalling the time when Shashank Singh was with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the former SRH bowler and coach heaped praise on the batsman for his attitude and his performance against KKR, writing:

"I couldn’t be happier for Shashank! He was with us at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy, gives it his all and always has a smile on his face.

"Well done my friend! So well deserved 👏"

I couldn’t be happier for Shashank!
He was with us at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy, gives it his all and always has a smile on his face.

Well done my friend! So well deserved 👏

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) April 26, 2024

'Wrong purchase' Shashank Singh stars in IPL 2024:

Shashank Singh has been one of the very few positives for PBKS this season. He is currently the leading run-scorer for his team. In nine games, he has scored 263 runs with the help of two half-centuries. He is averaging more than 65 and has a strike-rate of over 182 in IPL 2024.

It is a remarkable turnaround for a player who grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons during the auction last year. He was accidentally or wrongly bought by PBKS in the last auction. The franchise wanted to buy a different player but ended up with him.

PBKS even requested the auctioneer to reverse the bid but it did not happen. Shashank has responded to the incident in style by being PBKS' most important batsman in the ongoing IPL 2024.