Watch: Aakash Chopra shocked as Team Punjab Kings disrespect Shashank Singh despite excellent knock vs GT
Published - 05 Apr 2024, 04:53 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:24 PM
![Shashank Singh and Punjab Kings players](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/gallery/91691/ShashankSingh.jpg?q=80)
An uncanny visual from match number 17 of IPL 2024 between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans last night is going viral all over social media platforms. The moment took place during the 18th over of the 2nd innings when Punjab were chasing down a target of 200 and Punjab's middle-order batsman Shashank Singh had just completed his half-century in a very delicate situation and it was a knock which eventually proved to be the point of difference. However, his maiden fifty was nothing to be cheered about for his teammates and coaching staff.
There was dead silence all over in the Punjab Kings dugout as none of them stood up on their feet to clap and none even had a tinge of smile in their faces. All of them, including the coaching staff were just silent, tensed faced, unbothered about Shashank Singh's half-century and only hoping for the batter to get them over the victory line. Shashank had completed his 50 off just 25 balls and at that time, he was batting at a 200+ strike rate.
Aakash Chopra, who was present at the Hindi commentary box with Jio Cinema when this happened, was also quite shocked to see the reaction from Punjab Kings dugout. Chopra slammed that reaction from the coaching staff by saying that they should at least clap for Shashank Singh, who has kept the visitors alive in the game and also called the batter "CPR" of his team. "There is so much silence in the dugout that no one has even acknowledged the half-century. What is going on here? 50 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 200, he has kept you alive in this match. They are your team's CPR," Chopra said on air via Jio Cinema.
Worst behaviour ! 🥲
— V I P E R (@VIPERoffl) April 5, 2024
pic.twitter.com/dqFAncMcor
From causing confusion to winning a match for Punjab Kings, Shashank Singh scripted his own redemption
The IPL 2024 auction last year in Dubai's Coca-Cola arena had a lot of stories. While Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc stole most of the headlines for the amount they bagged, 32-year-old Shashank Singh was also one of the most talked about purchases of the season. But he wasn't actually an investment that Punjab intended to make. They were, in fact, looking to sign any other player who had the very same name.
But instead, call it a miracle or call it destiny, the 2014 runners-up ended up buying the Shashank who scripted his own redemption last night against Gujarat Titans. Having walked out to bat at number 6 during a delicate situation when Punjab were 111/5, the Chhattisgarh batter displayed reliability and a knack for adapting himself to the situation. He was smashing every ball that came to his bat and along with Impact player Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank guided Punjab to one of their most famous victory on record.
Shashank Singh thanks Punjab management team
As a result of his performance it was normal for Shashank Singh to receive the man of the match award. During the post-match presentation, the 32-year-old said that he backs his strengths and focuses only on the balls, not the bowler and he also thanked the Punjab Kings management.
"I don't see the names, I react to the ball and play my shots accordingly. Couldn't get much matches before, last to last year for SRH but the management, the coaching staff here has really backed me and I was very confident," Shashank Singh said in a post-match presentation.