On Thursday, the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) attempted to reach the target record of 200 runs for the sixth time. Uncapped Indian Shashank Singh amassed 61 runs in an unbroken inning during this chase. Shashank represents Chhattisgarh in domestic cricket, while his father works as an IPS officer in Madhya Pradesh's main city of Bhopal.
During a special interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Shashank shared that his father had always wanted him to be a cricket player. When he was younger, Papa built a turf field in his backyard and taught me how to play cricket. He also used to practice bowling. Tell us how Shashank responded to Bhaskar's inquiries.
Question: How much support did your father, an IPS officer, provide for cricket?
To answer your question, my father always wanted me to represent my nation in cricket. Papa used to bowl me with a plastic ball when he was a senior SP. Later on, this turned into my dream, and I'm grateful that my family supported me. My father, sister, and mother have always encouraged me.
In professional cricket, his family would often provide support when he failed to score runs. He answered, "I'll do it; put in the effort; you can do it." My family and Papa have great faith in me. I am fortunate to have had family support, as many players do not.
My father was assigned to Bhopal when I was in the 9th or 10th grade. When I first started playing cricket, my father forced me to play tennis and bowl with plastic balls, which helped me become a better batsman. Father had a turf pitch created at home when he was posted to Jabalpur. Senior fast bowlers used to practice here as well; they had the benefit of batting first and were relieved of their anxiety while facing fast bowlers from within.
On Thursday, the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) attempted to reach the target record of 200 runs for the sixth time. Uncapped Indian Shashank Singh amassed 61 runs in an unbroken inning during this chase. Shashank represents Chhattisgarh in domestic cricket, while his father works as an IPS officer in Madhya Pradesh's main city of Bhopal.
During a special interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Shashank shared that his father had always wanted him to be a cricket player. When he was younger, Papa built a turf field in his backyard and taught me how to play cricket. He also used to practice bowling. Tell us how Shashank responded to Bhaskar's inquiries.
Question: How much support did your father, an IPS officer, provide for cricket?
To answer your question, my father always wanted me to represent my nation in cricket. Papa used to bowl me with a plastic ball when he was a senior SP. Later on, this turned into my dream, and I'm grateful that my family supported me. My father, sister, and mother have always encouraged me.
In professional cricket, his family would often provide support when he failed to score runs. He answered, "I'll do it; put in the effort; you can do it." My family and Papa have great faith in me. I am fortunate to have had family support, as many players do not.
My father was assigned to Bhopal when I was in the 9th or 10th grade. When I first started playing cricket, my father forced me to play tennis and bowl with plastic balls, which helped me become a better batsman. Father had a turf pitch created at home when he was posted to Jabalpur. Senior fast bowlers used to practice here as well; they had the benefit of batting first and were relieved of their anxiety while facing fast bowlers from within.
Question: You started playing cricket in Mumbai, although your father is from Madhya Pradesh. You played from Puducherry as well; why was it necessary to switch states so frequently?
My father was posted in Bhilai at the time I was born. I represented Madhya Pradesh in the Under-15 and Under-17 age groups for cricket. MP and CG then had a single team. After that, Papa was moved to Mumbai, where there were a lot of gifted athletes. Then I understood that I needed to get much better.
I played for Mumbai's white-ball cricket team but was unable to participate in the Ranji Trophy. Proficient athletes such as Suryakumar, Shivam Dubey, Abhishek Nair, and Shreyas Iyer were present. He had a hard time getting a chance in first-class cricket. That's why I traveled to Chhattisgarh. Many thanks to Rajesh Sir, the CGCA Secretary. Abhay Kuruvilla, sir, was also a big help during the DY Patil competition.
In cricket, who do you think is the ideal player?
Answer: I've dreamed of playing for Team India ever since I began playing cricket. I really enjoy AB de Villiers' style of play. Team India has only won once; therefore, selection is still tough. The encounter against SRH is currently the center of attention.
Question: The Punjab Kings claimed to have purchased the incorrect Shashank Singh during the auction. How did you respond to this?
Response: I received a call from Sanjay Bangar Sir, the director of Punjab Kings, the very day after the sale. He said, "You were on our list from the start; we are glad to have you join the team and wanted to take you exclusively." The team has consistently shown faith in domestic cricket players, and I am appreciative that they offered me an opportunity.
Shashank Singh, a young IPL star, was interviewed. The father of IPS started playing cricket from Bhopal and had a pitch created at home.