Interview of young IPL star Shashank Singh: IPS father got a pitch made at home, started playing cricket from Bhopal

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Kings chased the target record of 200 runs for the sixth time on Thursday. In this chase, uncapped Indian Shashank Singh played an unbeaten inning of 61 runs. Shashank plays domestic cricket for Chhattisgarh and his father is an IPS officer in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

In a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Shashank said, 'Papa's dream was that I should become a cricketer. Papa himself used to practice bowling in his childhood, he made a turf pitch at home and taught me to play cricket. Let us know what Shashank said on Bhaskar's questions…

Question- Your father is an IPS officer, how much support did he give for cricket?
answer- It was my father's dream that I should play cricket for the country. When Papa was a senior SP, he used to bowl to me with a plastic ball. Later on, this became my dream, I am very lucky that I got the support of my family. Sister, mother and father always supported me.

Many times in professional cricket, when runs were not scored, the family supported him. He said I will do it, work hard, you have the ability. Papa and family have a lot of faith in me. Many players do not get family support, but I am lucky that I got that support.

When I was 9-10 years old, my father was posted in Bhopal. I started playing cricket then and it was my father who strengthened my batting by making me play tennis and bowling with plastic balls. When father was posted in Jabalpur, he got a turf pitch made at home. Senior fast bowlers also used to practice here, they got the advantage of batting in front of them and the fear of facing fast bowlers from inside was removed.

Question- What did you talk to your father after the match?
answer- Papa has played college level cricket, he is very fond of watching cricket. He also keeps watching videos of old matches on YouTube. He always says that I should also improve my game by watching more and more cricket videos. After the match Papa said that some shots could have been played better.

Papa is never satisfied with my innings, but he was happy with some shots in the match against Gujarat. I talk to him after every match, he always guides me. Always talk to him about fitness and shots. It is very important to know how much water you are in. There is always room for improvement in cricket, so I like talking to my father.

Question- You have been a part of IPL teams since 2017, but you made your debut in 2022. How did you manage yourself when you did not get many matches?
answer- I first joined Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in IPL, then stayed with Rajasthan for 2 years. I did not get a place in the playing-11 for all three years. Every season he used to sit without playing for about 40-45 days. In such a situation, one starts questioning oneself, it seems that one does not have the ability to reach IPL level.

To be honest, I also doubted that I was not worthy of playing at such a high level. However, today when one is getting a chance in the playing-11, one should know that sitting out does not mean that the player does not have the ability. He is not fit because of the team combination. Right now, if I am a part of the playing-11 and some other player is sitting outside, it just means that he has the ability, but he has to wait for the right opportunity.

Being associated with IPL teams also gives experience. There are many international players in the team, one gets to learn a lot just by practicing with them. Brian Lara sir backed me in SRH, played 10 matches there. He liked my batting. Last year he was also injured, this year Punjab bought him and also supported him by giving him a chance in the playing-11.

It was a big thing for me to get a chance in the first match as a domestic player. Shikhar Dhawan said that we are with you, you just play your natural game openly. I did the same and made my team win.

Question- You are from Chhattisgarh, father is in MP and you started cricket from Mumbai. You also played from Puducherry, why was there a need to change so many states?
answer- I was born in Bhilai, my father was posted there at that time. I played cricket from Madhya Pradesh in Under-15 and Under-17 age group. Then MP and CG had only one team. Papa was then transferred to Mumbai, there were many talented players there. Then I realized that I had to improve a lot.

Got a chance to play for Mumbai's white ball cricket team, but could not play Ranji Trophy. There were talented players like Suryakumar, Shivam Dubey, Abhishek Nair and Shreyas Iyer. It was difficult for him to get a chance in first class cricket. In such a situation, I went to Chhattisgarh. CGCA Secretary Rajesh Sir helped a lot. Abhay Kuruvilla sir also helped a lot in DY Patil tournament.

Question- Whom do you consider an ideal in cricket?
answer- Ever since I started playing cricket, I kept the dream of playing for Team India in my mind. I like the way AB de Villiers plays, I like him a lot. Selection in Team India is still difficult, the team has won only once. The entire focus is now on the match against SRH.

Question- In the auction, Punjab Kings had said that they bought the wrong Shashank Singh. What was your reaction to this?
answer- The very next day of the auction, I got a call from Punjab Kings director Sanjay Bangar sir. He said that you were a part of our list from the beginning, we wanted to take you only and are happy to include you in the team. The team has always expressed confidence in domestic cricketers, I am thankful that the team gave me a chance.

After the auction, Shashank Singh and Punjab Kings had clarified that there was no mistake in purchasing the team.