'I will definitely grab that opportunity with both hands' - Shashank Singh reveals captaincy aspirations

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have qualified for the playoffs of IPL 2025 and won a last-over thriller against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Sunday, May 18. The match also saw a new leader in the form of Shashank Singh who was marshalling the troops in the absence of Shreyas Iyer who was subbed out for Harpreet Brar due to a finger injury.

This put Shashank Singh in the record books of the IPL as he not only became the first Chhattisgarh player to lead an IPL team but also the first uncapped Indian player to lead an IPL franchise. Though there is not much known about Shashank’s captaincy record the 33-year-old batting all-rounder had opened up on his aspirations to lead last year.

Shashank revealed that he had five years of leadership experience in the DY Patil T20 tournament and would grab the opportunity to lead the Punjab Kings if presented, which he did in the crucial high-pressure game against the Royals.

“Honestly, I don’t know much about it (chances of being included in the PBKS leadership group). I have been leading in the DY Patil T20 tournament for five years, and touchwood, I’m doing good so far. Even for Chhattisgarh, if the management considers me capable of leading the side, I will accept it happily,” Shashank had said during an interview with News 18.

“I feel that I have the ability to lead a side and win a championship. Similarly, if Punjab Kings want to try me as captain, I will definitely grab that opportunity with both hands and make proper use of it. I will be grateful but not expecting anything," the PBKS star had concluded.

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Shashank Singh's performance in IPL 2025

Shashank has had another fruitful season playing for the Punjab franchise. Despite batting lower down the order he has managed to play crucial knocks. In the 12 games he has played so far, he has scored 273 runs at an average of 68.25 and at a strike rate of 151.66. He has scored two half centuries as well.

One of the half centuries came in the last game itself where he scored an unbeaten 59 off 30 deliveries against the Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. His knock included five fours and three sixes, scoring those runs at a strike rate of 196.66.