Shashank Singh Focuses on Bowling and Fielding Skills During Punjab Kings Off-Season Camp
Shashank Singh's Commitment to Improvement
Mohali (Punjab) [India], August 13: All-rounder Shashank Singh of Punjab Kings is utilizing the franchise's ongoing off-season training camp to enhance his bowling skills and regain his confidence on the field. With the upcoming 2026-27 domestic season on the horizon, the 34-year-old sees this as a crucial opportunity to strengthen his case for an India selection.
During a recent interview at the Punjab Kings' five-day off-season camp at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, Shashank expressed his desire to increase his bowling workload and improve his ability to maintain effectiveness throughout his overs.
"I always have a strategy for each season. Last year, I faced some fitness challenges and missed a few matches due to a hamstring injury. This time, my goal is to stay injury-free, especially since the IPL is incredibly fast-paced. As an all-rounder, bowling in the 3rd or 4th over requires extra effort. My aim is to bowl the fourth over with the same speed and accuracy as the first. It's crucial to maintain that consistency for all four overs. I'm focusing on increasing my bowling volume and taking on more responsibility so that you can see my progress next year," Shashank shared.
The camp, which commenced on August 11 and will conclude on August 15, emphasizes skill development. Shashank noted that the smaller group size allows players to work closely with coaches on specific areas of their game.
Participants in the camp include six players: Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank, Harpreet Brar, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey, and Nehal Wadhera, all under the guidance of the coaching staff.
For Shashank, this off-season also presents a chance to tackle a frustrating aspect of his game—fielding. He admitted to dropping "6-7 catches" during the last IPL season, which impacted his enjoyment and confidence on the field.
"It became overwhelming. Fortunately, my coach, captain, and senior players never made me feel bad about it. No one blamed me for our losses due to my dropped catches," he reflected.
Shashank acknowledged that these repeated mistakes affected his eagerness to go for the ball. "In the LSG match, I dropped three catches and then hesitated to go for the ball. I wasn't enjoying it anymore. From U-16, we are taught to enjoy fielding. I love batting and bowling, but after those drops, I was just anxious about making mistakes," he explained.
The support from Punjab Kings' head coach Ricky Ponting, batting coach Brad Haddin, and captain Shreyas Iyer helped him regain his perspective. "Ricky, Brad, and Shreyas called me to reassure me that I'm a good fielder. My team was supportive, but I needed to believe in myself first," Shashank stated.
He described a pivotal training session where he took 500 catches, which played a significant role in rebuilding his confidence. "One day, I focused solely on catching—no batting or bowling, just catching. Fielding should be instinctive, but you also need to enjoy it. I lost that joy, which was the issue. I'm not claiming I'll be a perfect fielder next season, but I will enjoy it. That was a valuable lesson for me, and I'm grateful I learned it, even if it affected my performance," he added.
Shashank is now preparing for the domestic season, where he will represent Puducherry after parting ways with Chhattisgarh after seven years. He believes that excelling in the No. 6-7 batting position could enhance his chances of being selected for the national team.
"I'm very excited. I see a bright opportunity for the blue jersey. The role I play with both bat and ball is crucial, and if I perform well, the door will always be open. Look at Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi, who made it through hard work," he remarked.
"Last domestic season, I missed many matches due to injuries. This year, I'm focused on playing white-ball cricket for Puducherry. I aim to maintain full fitness and be a true all-rounder—not just a batsman who bowls a bit, but someone who contributes equally in both areas. If I perform well in that No. 6-7 position, you never know what could happen. Cricket is unpredictable. I'm eager for the domestic season to showcase my abilities," Shashank concluded.
Punjab Kings are leveraging the off-season to prepare for the next IPL season through a series of training camps, with various groups of players set to participate in skill and fitness-focused programs in the upcoming months.
The franchise finished fifth in the 2026 IPL, narrowly missing the playoffs after being runners-up in the 2025 season. Shashank, who has become a key middle-order player for Punjab, is now aiming to enhance his bowling responsibilities and fielding consistency ahead of the next IPL season.