Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Punjab Kings’ for using Shashank Singh as a finisher in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Singh has been the find of the season for PBKS as he has shown terrific form while batting in the lower middle order.
The right-hander single-handedly won his team the game against Gujarat Titans when they were chasing 200 runs. Singh had scored a match-winning knock of 61 runs off just 29 balls.
Meanwhile, Singh scored another impressive knock of 41 runs off just 25 balls against Mumbai Indians on Thursday while batting at number six in the run-chase of 193. Singh is the highest run-getter for PBKS in IPL 2024 with 187 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.33 and a blistering strike rate of 179.80.
PBKS found themselves in trouble at 14-4 against Mumbai Indians and that’s when they sent in their in-form batter, Shashank Singh.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “When your team is 14/4, it seems like the match can’t be won because you are too far behind, and your four main players’, whom you consider your main players, innings’ have ended. Shashank comes in such a situation and Jitesh (Sharma) was there with him.”
“I would want to say one thing about Shashank. The way he is batting, how did you decide that he is your finisher only, that even though he is batting well, you won’t send him up the order? What is the point? Someone who is batting well and has the temperament is not a finisher only. He plays red-ball cricket and is an experienced player,” the former India opener added.
The renowned commentator also heaped praise on Ashutosh Sharma, who scored a blistering knock of 61 runs off just 28 balls against MI. Sharma smashed two fours and seven sixes in his whirlwind knock as he batted at the top of his game.
“Punjab were in the game until Shashank was there. Ashutosh also came and started hitting. Then Bumrah was called to do something and he got Shashank out. Then it seemed like Mumbai would probably win the match but Ashutosh was there with Harpreet Brar. Ashutosh – remember the name,” he said.
Punjab Kings will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Sunday.
