Shreyas Iyer's 'don't overthink' advice shaped my IPL 2026 mindset, says PBKS' Shedge
Synopsis
When Suryansh Shedge faltered in a pre-season practice game, Shreyas Iyer's three-word counsel — 'don't overthink' — became the invisible hand guiding his IPL 2026 campaign. Benched early, Shedge used the sidelines to sharpen, then struck with 57 and 25 when his turn came. It's a quiet lesson in mental resilience that Punjab Kings hopes translates into wins against Delhi Capitals.
Key Takeaways
Suryansh Shedge credits Shreyas Iyer 's pre-season advice to 'not overthink' as a turning point in his IPL 2026 mindset.
Shedge scored 57 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and 25 off 17 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad after getting his opportunity.
The 23-year-old spent the early phase of the tournament on the sidelines, using it as a preparation window rather than a setback.
Head coach Ricky Ponting 's mantra of 'preparation, preparation, preparation' has reinforced Shedge 's approach.
PBKS face Delhi Capitals at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday, seeking to end a three-game losing streak.
Suryansh Shedge, Punjab Kings' 23-year-old batting all-rounder, has credited a pre-season conversation with captain Shreyas Iyer as the catalyst for his mental clarity during IPL 2026. The skipper's simple counsel to stop overthinking stuck with Shedge before the tournament began, anchoring his approach when he finally got his opportunity to bat in the middle.
The defining practice-game moment
Shedge recalled a pivotal exchange during an internal practice game ahead of the season. He was batting fluently, having scored 65-70 runs, when he attempted a scoop against Arshdeep Singh's yorker and was dismissed. Troubled by the dismissal, he approached Iyer at covers and asked if he had moved early. "He said, you're batting well, don't overthink," Shedge recounted. "That stuck with me before the season started and that's how you are ready when you actually go into bat."
Converting patience into performance
Shedge was left out of the playing eleven in IPL 2026's initial phase but treated the sidelines as a learning window rather than a setback. He made an impact when called upon, scoring a composed 57 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and following it with a brisk 25 off 17 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. "The attitude of working as hard as possible every day, even though I wasn't playing, made me ready for my entry," he said.
Ponting's preparation mantra
Head coach Ricky Ponting's philosophy has reinforced Shedge's mindset. "When it comes to Ricky sir, it's always been preparation, preparation, preparation," Shedge explained. Ponting consistently emphasizes backing oneself with courage and the belief that one belongs at the highest level — a message Shedge has internalized as he faces each delivery.
The role of environment and communication
Shedge, who knows Iyer from their time together in the Mumbai domestic cricket set-up, credited the captain's regular technical and attitudinal conversations for maintaining a positive dressing-room culture. "He always keeps me on my toes and we talk a lot about cricket — technique, attitude, what both of us can do better," Shedge noted.
Eyes on Delhi Capitals clash
PBKS face Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday, aiming to snap a three-game losing streak. Shedge's late-innings batting prowess could prove crucial in the team's bid to return to winning ways.
Point of View
Gets a pep talk from the skipper, bounces back with runs. But what's instructive here is Shedge's refusal to spiral during the sidelines phase — a discipline that separates the mentally resilient from the noise-prone. Iyer's advice, simple as it sounds, cuts to the heart of T20 batting: decision-making collapses when the mind races ahead. Ponting's relentless focus on preparation over outcome is the scaffolding. Whether PBKS's three-game slide ends Monday will tell us if individual mental clarity can scale to team performance.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What advice did Shreyas Iyer give Suryansh Shedge before IPL 2026?
Shreyas Iyer advised Shedge to 'not overthink' during a pre-season practice game after Shedge was dismissed attempting a scoop. The skipper's counsel became the mental anchor for Shedge 's tournament approach.
How has Suryansh Shedge performed in IPL 2026?
Shedge scored 57 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and 25 off 17 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad after initially being left out of the playing eleven.
How did Shedge use his time on the sidelines?
Rather than spiral into negativity, Shedge treated the sidelines as a preparation window, watching games, learning, and finding ways to improve. He described this extra month as crucial to being ready when his chance came.
What is Ricky Ponting's key coaching philosophy for PBKS?
Ponting 's philosophy centers on 'preparation, preparation, preparation.' He also emphasizes backing oneself with courage and knowing that one belongs at the highest level of cricket.
When and where will Punjab Kings play Delhi Capitals?
PBKS will face Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday, as PBKS seeks to end a three-game losing streak.
