Winning IPL is great, but World Cup is the bigger dream: Shashank Singh [Exclusive]

Punjab Kings star Shashank Singh has shared his ambitions and preparation for the future. He visualised playing for India and winning the World Cup, seeing the IPL as a stepping stone. Reflecting on his partnership with Ashutosh Sharma at PBKS, he highlighted their mutual positivity and teamwork on and off the field.

Shashank also emphasised the importance of India A as a pathway to the senior team. He also noted that, if selected, he would aim to contribute as a finisher and an occasional bowler.

Excerpts from the interview

Last year, you had said Punjab Kings will be in the top two of IPL. Not just the top two, but in the finals. So, do you have a prediction for next year? 

I like to visualise. I like to believe in things. I believe that I'll be playing for the country and I'll be getting the World Cup. Because that's a dream that's been going on for years. And I think that dream is much bigger than any dream of mine. 

Obviously, IPL is a stepping stone. Winning the IPL is a big thing. But again, it's a bigger dream than that is to wear the Indian jersey, win the World Cup. So, I visualise that I'm playing in the finals of the T20 World Cup and winning for the country. I think that I have everything to do it and I believe that I'll do it. 

Do you think PBKS should have retained Ashutosh Sharma at the IPL 2025 mega auction? How was your partnership with him on and off the field during your days at PBKS?

This is a decision taken by the management, by the support staff. So, I can't comment on this. Because in the domestic players, everyone did well. Ashutosh and Prabh[simran Singh] did well; I did well. 

We always talked about winning. Before that, we did a lot of pre-practice matches. We batted together in a lot of sessions. So, we know each other's game very well. We know how to take chances and how to win. So, our partnership was not limited to just matches. When we used to meet during practice or during dinner, we used to talk about how to play and how to win the games for the team. 

So, we always talked about the positive. Ashutosh is always positive. There was never any negativity. Because I still remember one match in the 2024 IPL, against SRH, when 26 runs were required in the last over. We both were batting and we lost by only two runs. We believed that we would win the match. So, I think the most important thing is to believe. And I think we both believed in each other, and in ourselves. That's why our partnership was so good.

How important do you consider India A as a stepping stone to the senior team? If you get selected, how are you preparing for it?

Obviously, the basis of the team formed for the white ball is the IPL performances. So, I think my job was to do the performances. I am doing it. I will continue to do it. But again, India A is a base from where you come in the senior team. 

The dream of playing India is still there. I know that India A is the only way to play India. It is a step-by-step. So, I have full hope that I will get all the rewards for my IPL performances. I don't want to live in the delusion that I have done it. You have to believe what I believe. But I don't want to live in the dream that I have done it. I have to work hard every day. I have to do conditioning and nets. 

Because when the time comes, I have to be my 100 percent. I [need to ] make sure that I do justice to the selectors, to the coaches, to myself. You have to work hard every day. If you work hard every day, you will get everything. My dream is to win World Cup for India and I am working hard for that. I know that I will get it. But again, it is just a step. In the end, I want to make India proud. I am working hard every day for that.

How closely do you follow India’s approach in T20Is? If you get a chance in the team, what role can you play?

The [same] role that I play in my domestic team and my IPL team - the role of the finisher and all-rounder. Look at Abhishek Sharma, Surya[kumar Yadav], Shreyas [Iyer], the way [they are] batting... with intent. I think there is so much to learn from [them]. Why is he batting with the same intent, it’s because the sport is demanding it now.

Whenever there is an international call, I will bat with the same intent and obviously, team first... you have to keep the team's demand in front of you and you have to play accordingly. I think my aim is to bat at (Nos.) 5-7 and bowl a few overs whenever the team needs me to bowl.