PBKS vs GT: "How did you decide that Shashank Singh is your finisher?" - Aakash Chopra tears apart PBKS

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, was not really pleased with the Punjab Kings' (PBKS) decision not to promote Shashank Singh up the batting order during their tough chase against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in match No. 33 of the ongoing IPL 2024.

Chasing a daunting target of 193 runs set by the Mumbai Indians (MI), the Punjab Kings (PBKS) found themselves struggling at 49/5 after the seventh over at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on April 18.

However, the stormy knocks from Shashank Singh (41 off 25 balls) and Ashutosh Sharma (61 off 28 balls) kept Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) hopes alive in the IPL 2024 clash against the five-time champions, but they eventually fell short by 9 runs, getting bowled out for 183 in Mullanpur.

Aakash Chopra praises Shashank Singh

After the PBKS vs MI match, Aakash Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, criticized the Punjab team management for their lack of faith in young players like Shashank Singh.

The cricket expert questioned the PBKS’ decision to send Shashank to bat when half the team had already returned to the pavilion. He said that PBKS missed the opportunity to utilize his talents effectively against Mumbai Indians (MI).

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “When your team is 14/4, it seems like the match can't be won because you are too far behind, and your four main players', whom you consider your main players, innings' have ended. Shashank comes in such a situation and Jitesh (Sharma) was there with him.”

The former India opener further questioned how PBKS is playing Shashank only as a finisher in the ongoing IPL 2024, saying he has experience in red-ball cricket and he is a proper batter.

How did you decide that he is your finisher only?

He added, “I would want to say one thing about Shashank. The way he is batting, how did you decide that he is your finisher only, that even though he is batting well, you won't send him up the order? What is the point? Someone who is batting well and has the temperament is not a finisher only. He plays red-ball cricket and is an experienced player.”

Notably, Shashank has so far amassed 187 runs at an impressive average of 62.33 and a strike rate of 179.81 in his 7 appearances in the ongoing IPL 2024. On the other hand, Ashutosh Sharma has 156 runs to his name in 4 matches, striking at 205.26 in the tournament.

Earlier, former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan also lauded the duo for their brilliant performances for PBKS against Mumbai in Mullanpur. Zaheer said, “Who would have given them any chance of getting back in this game? But these two guys, it's just unbelievable stuff. And they've already secured those two points for Punjab. Earlier, when both of these guys batted together. Shashank, obviously that time was a hero.”

Notably, PBKS will next take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2024 on Sunday, April 21 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.