Shashank of PBKS Thrilled to Team Up with Aussie Allrounders Stoinis & Maxwell

New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) Punjab Kings' (PBKS) batter Shashank Singh, who has been retained by the franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, expressed his enthusiasm about joining forces with Australia's leading allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell in the league next season.

Shashank had a remarkable performance with PBKS in IPL 2024, amassing 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 164.65 and an average of 44.25, solidifying his status as one of the most dependable finishers in the competition alongside Ashutosh Sharma, who was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for 3.80 crore in the mega auction.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for me; both of them rank among the finest all-rounders globally, particularly in white-ball cricket. Stoinis plays as a medium-pace all-rounder and bats lower down the order, which aligns closely with my role. And then there's Maxwell—his reputation as a match-winner for Australia is well-known," Shashank shared with IANS.

PBKS invested a total of 15.20 crore to secure the duo of star Australian all-rounders: Marcus Stoinis for Rs 11 crore and Glenn Maxwell for Rs 4.20 crore during the mega auction.

"I will learn a vast amount from him, and he is also a fantastic fielder. Engaging in discussions with him will be exciting since he is one of Australia’s top all-rounders. I’m eagerly anticipating sharing the dressing room with them and developing a positive relationship," he added.

The 33-year-old batter further remarked that having a 'smart and experienced' captain like Shreyas Iyer will be advantageous for PBKS. The former Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024-winning captain was sold to PBKS for a remarkable Rs 26.75 crore, marking the highest bid in the tournament's history during the IPL 2025 Auction.

"Winning the IPL is a significant accomplishment, and Shreyas clinched the title last year. His leadership of Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy demonstrates his intelligent and youthful captaincy. Having an experienced captain is incredibly beneficial for a team. Ricky Ponting and Shreyas were together in Delhi when they reached the IPL final. This is a promising sign for PBKS that Shreyas will lead our team," Shashank noted.

Shashank also revealed insights from his discussions with new head coach, the Australian legend Ricky Ponting. He stated, "Prior to the auction, Ricky sir and I had extensive conversations about my batting order and how I could enhance my contributions to the team. He has been a brilliant player and is now a savvy coach with a decade of IPL experience. I’m keen to exchange ideas with him and absorb his knowledge."

With Punjab Kings yet to secure an IPL title, Shashank is determined to build on his success from IPL 2024 and play a crucial role in the team's quest for victory in the tournament.

"The team has the same expectations from me as last year. My responsibility is to go out, perform, and assist the team in winning. I have the same expectations for myself. In the next IPL, I aim to give my all and guide the team to victory," he expressed.

Reflecting on his ambitions of representing Team India, Shashank concluded by stating, "We should take it match by match. Certainly, the ultimate goal is to represent the Indian team and have a long career. Every tournament—whether it’s the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ranji Trophy, or IPL—holds significance. Staying fit is crucial, and I must keep myself in shape. At times, we look too far ahead, which can adversely affect our performance. Therefore, concentrating on one game at a time is a wiser approach."