Uncapped Indian batter Shashank Singh will leave Chhattisgarh ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season to represent Puducherry, citing a lack of “clarity” as the reason for his move. Shashank, a Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS), according to Cricinfo.
Having represented Chhattisgarh since 2019, Shashank alleged that “disrespect” from state board officials influenced his decision. A senior official stated to Cricinfo, “The player had requested the NOC, which has been issued. Whatever else he has said are his views, and the association does not want to make any further comment on the matter.”
Shashank experienced a disappointing IPL season with 132 runs in nine innings, including one half-century. He explained that attempts to engage in dialogue with the state board regarding his exclusion from the 2026 Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League (CCPL) and omission from the conditioning camp for state probables went unanswered. He said, “This has been brewing for a while. I tried to engage in dialogue with the state association officials soon after the IPL season, but I didn’t receive any response. They did not have a proper explanation for why I was excluded from the [2026] Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League. They did not tell me why I wasn’t considered for the conditioning camp for the state probables.”
He added, “I am not saying you give me preferential treatment, but someone who won the BCCI award for the best domestic white-ball allrounder [for 2023-24] at least deserves some clarity, not ridicule.”
Shashank indicated that issues of “indifference” began during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy when he left the field due to a shoulder injury while fielding against Mumbai. Despite the physio being aware of the Grade 2 shoulder strain, the association reportedly felt he did not appear “interested”. He said, “Scans revealed a Grade 2 shoulder strain, which our physio was privy to, but the association officials felt I simply was not interested. I batted despite the injury in that match, but obviously they did not see it the same way.”
During the white-ball season, further questions about his commitment to the domestic team were raised. Shashank recalled sustaining a thumb fracture after being hit during a batting session at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru ahead of the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy last year. He stated, “Just before the Vijay Hazare Trophy, I was at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for some conditioning and batting prep – an initiative I had taken on my own since I am not a contracted player. During that stint, in one of the sessions, I got hit on the thumb by Prasidh Krishna and sustained a fracture.”
He added, “At the time, doctors even felt I’d be touch-and-go for the IPL. But it was not enough to convince Chhattisgarh officials that it was serious enough.”
Due to multiple injuries in the past year, Shashank intends to focus solely on white-ball cricket in the upcoming season, believing it will support his performance as an all-rounder. He explained, “In red-ball cricket, I tried my best to play as an all-rounder, but my body did not allow it, and I am tired of trying to convince people of this. That is the reason why I only want to focus on white-ball, and Puducherry fortunately agreed to this request of mine before we got down to the paperwork.”
Over seven years, Shashank has played 24 first-class matches for Chhattisgarh, averaging 29.19 with one century and six fifties. His List-A record includes 927 runs in 31 games at an average of 40.30, featuring two centuries and three fifties. Additionally, he has appeared in 42 Twenty20 matches for the state, scoring 653 runs at a strike rate of 129.30 and taking 18 wickets.
In the IPL, Shashank acts as a deputy to PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer. He recorded an impressive 2024 season with 354 runs at a strike rate of 164.65, including two fifties in 14 innings, leading to his retention before the mega auction. However, his 2026 season was hindered by poor form, dropped catches, and injury concerns.
Shashank described Puducherry as “a fresh start” and said, “I am hoping to rediscover my white-ball proficiency after having fully recovered from my injuries.”