Shashank Singh: Star all-rounder Shashank Singh, who plays for Punjab Kings alongside Shreyas Iyer in the IPL, has made a major decision. He has left his home team, Chhattisgarh, and will now play for Puducherry from the upcoming 2026-27 season. Former President of the Cricket Association of Puducherry, P. Damodaran, has confirmed Shashank’s joining the team. Mumbai wicketkeeper-batsman Prasad Pawar has also joined the Puducherry team. Following his departure, Shashank has leveled several serious allegations against the Chhattisgarh Cricket Association.
Shashank Singh made serious allegations against the Chhattisgarh Cricket Association.
Speaking to the Times of India, Shashank Singh leveled several serious allegations against the Chhattisgarh Cricket Association (CSCS). He said, “Yes, I am leaving Chhattisgarh. I have obtained an NOC from CSCS and will play for Puducherry from the 2026-27 season. Last season, I suffered serious shoulder and finger injuries, but the Chhattisgarh Cricket Association did not support me at all.”
He further explained that after the season ended, his name was not included in the player list for the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026. Furthermore, his name was also missing from the team selected for the pre-season camp. “I asked the officials why my name was not included, but I received no response,” Shashank said.
‘I was misrepresented’
Shashank Singh says he was maligned by being told he only wanted to play in the IPL and wasn’t interested in domestic cricket. He said, “I was told I only wanted to play in the IPL, whereas the truth is that last year the BCCI named me India’s best all-rounder in white-ball cricket. I also received the prestigious Lala Amarnath Award for this.”
It’s worth noting that Shashank performed brilliantly with both bat and ball in the last domestic season. He scored 450 runs and took 11 wickets in seven matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, he scored 188 runs in seven matches.
Took a break from red-ball cricket
Shashank further clarified that his entire focus is currently on white-ball cricket. He said, “My body is still completely fit. That’s why I have decided to take a break from red-ball cricket this season. I am a proper all-rounder and want to bowl my four overs regularly in T20 cricket for both Puducherry and Punjab Kings.”
Also read: Who is Neil Patel? The Indian-origin player has been named in Australia’s squad and will make his debut against India!
How was Shashank’s career for Chhattisgarh?
Shashank Singh joined the Chhattisgarh team in 2019 and has remained a regular member of the team ever since. Shashank has played 24 first-class matches for Chhattisgarh, scoring 905 runs at an average of 29.19 and taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 3.28.
In List A cricket, he scored 1054 runs in 35 matches at an average of 40.53 and took 37 wickets with his excellent bowling. Furthermore, in T20 cricket, he has 1763 runs and 25 wickets in 110 matches.