South African legend Dale Steyn shared a heartwarming message for Shashank Singh following his heroics against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Friday (April 28).
The right-handed batsman continued his impressive run in IPL 2024 and helped PBKS set a record 262 runs against the two-time IPL champions in their own backyard. When asked to bat first, KKR posted a mammoth total of 261/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Phil Salt and Sunil Narine once again starred with the bat, scoring 75 and 71 runs respectively, helping KKR score over 260 runs for the second time this season.
In reply, PBKS chased down a huge total victory in 18.4 overs. Jonny Bairstow was the architect of the win with his unbeaten century while Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh scored whirlwind half-centuries. Prabhsimran set the tone for the chase by hitting an 18-ball fifth in the powerplay before Bairstow took charge.
After Rilee Rossouw scored 26 runs in the 13th over, Shashank Singh took charge of the innings. PBKS still needed 84 runs in less than eight overs when Shashank Singh came out to bat. He gave full throttle from the start and helped PBKS to a historic victory. The right-handed batsman hit two fours and eight sixes and remained unbeaten with 68 off just 28 balls.
Dale Steyn’s message to Shashank Singh:
Dale Steyn didn’t take long to react to Shashank Singh’s stunning knock against KKR. Soon after the PBKS batsman starred in the record chase with the bat, the former South African pace spearhead took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his delight over the batsman’s achievement.
The former SRH bowler and coach recalled the time when Shashank Singh was with Sunrisers Hyderabad and praised the batsman for his attitude and performance against KKR and wrote:
“I couldn’t be happier for Shashank! He was at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy, gives his best and always has a smile on his face.”
“Well done, my friend! So well deserved 👏”
I couldn’t be happier for Shashank!
He was at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy who does his best and always has a smile on his face.Well done my friend! So well deserved 👏
– Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) April 26, 2024
‘Wrong Buy’ Shashank Singh to star in IPL 2024:
Shashank Singh has been one of the few positive players for PBKS this season. He is currently his team’s leading run scorer. In nine matches, he scored 263 runs with the help of two half-centuries. He averages over 65 and has a strike rate of over 182 in IPL 2024.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the auction last year. He was accidentally or mistakenly purchased by PBKS in the last auction. The franchise wanted to buy another player but ended up with him.
PBKS even asked the auctioneer to reverse the bid, but this did not happen. Shashank has responded to the incident in style by being the PBKS’ key batsman in the ongoing IPL 2024.