Suryansh Shedge: A Major Confidence Booster for Punjab Kings with SMAT Experience in IPL

New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Leveraging the confidence from his match-winning performance against Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) final, which propelled Mumbai to their second title, Suryansh Shedge is preparing to fulfill a similar role for Punjab Kings in the upcoming 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shedge's remarkable innings of 36 runs off just 15 balls, including three sixes and three fours, during the SMAT final, led to his acquisition by Punjab Kings for ₹30 lakh in the mega auction held in Jeddah last November.

Following his stellar performance in the final, Suryakumar Yadav, the India T20I captain and his teammate from Mumbai, congratulated the 21-year-old for his outstanding display on the field, which earned him the Player of the Match title.

Looking back at his tournament performance, which saw him accumulate 131 runs over nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 251.92 while batting at No. 6, Shedge is utilizing the confidence he gained to stay focused on his preparation.

"I think everything is progressing well. We’ve worked hard in practice over the last three days. Naturally, the SMAT was a great experience for me and the team. Winning the championship and contributing with some match-winning performances has been a significant confidence booster heading into the season," Shedge shared with IANS on Friday.

Within the Punjab Kings, the young talent will join forces with his Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer, who was signed for ₹26.75 crore by the Mohali-based franchise.

"Of course, playing for a franchise brings a certain level of pressure, but having him (Iyer) in the squad will ease that for me, as I can share my feelings with someone who understands me well since I’ve played under him before. I’m excited to play alongside him, regardless of whether he takes on the captaincy here," he added.

Having played six First-Class matches and scored 343 runs including three half-centuries, Shedge aims to perform the same finishing role for Punjab in the IPL while remaining adaptable to meet the team’s requirements.

"I envision myself playing the same role I did for Mumbai. I'm open to batting in any position the franchise needs. My goal is to contribute across all areas, be it batting, fielding, or bowling," the all-rounder stated.

On his impressions of the Punjab Kings' squad for the IPL 2025 season, Shedge remarked, "I believe we have a well-balanced team. Every player wants to be a match-winner when we step onto the field, and that synergy will be beneficial. Even during our pre-season camp, I noticed everyone putting in a great effort, so things are looking positive. I prefer focusing on the present, and when the time comes, we’ll tackle it together."

The path to joining the world’s most prestigious T20 league hasn’t been straightforward for Shedge, who faced several injury challenges along the way to prove himself on this grand stage.

"I don’t think anyone has an easy journey. My interest in cricket sparked because my maternal grandfather was a cricket enthusiast. He would watch the IPL, especially when the Mumbai Indians played in their light blue and dark blue jerseys. I was only eight when I first saw the sport and was captivated, picking up the bat that very night. However, I encountered setbacks last year with two injuries. I was performing well in the U-25 CK Naidu Trophy when I suffered a stress fracture in my back, forcing me out for three months, coinciding with the auction period," he recounted.

Shedge discussed how Jayadev Unadkat’s injury during the IPL 2023 season provided him an opportunity with the Lucknow Super Giants to gain T20 experience.

"My name came up twice during the auction but went unsold. Then, mid-season, after Unadkat's injury, Lucknow approached me asking if I was fit. Unfortunately, I was still injured. They told me to contact them once my MRI results were clear, and upon recovery, I reached out and was signed. I also spoke with Gautam Gambhir, who advised me to soak in as much experience as possible this year to build confidence for next season," he explained.

"However, I later attended a pre-season camp with the Mumbai senior team in Alur. Everything seemed to be going well, and I even scored a century there, but then my back issues resurfaced. A scan revealed my injury had relapsed, which was disheartening because I missed the white-ball season, including SMAT and the Vijay Hazare tournament," he shared.

"The first two months after that were overwhelming, and I felt lost. Thankfully, my parents and a few friends supported me through it. I often repeat a quote: 'Let me fall if I must fall, the one I will become will catch me.' I recited that daily, aiming to return stronger, which I did. I scored three centuries in three Division A matches and was selected for the U-23 team, where I again scored multiple hundreds, culminating in my Ranji Trophy debut last year. My journey has had its ups and downs, but I’ve persevered," he said.

Shedge is currently focused on securing the Ranji Trophy title for Mumbai before shifting his attention to the IPL, aspiring to achieve the same with Punjab Kings. "Winning the Ranji Trophy is my immediate goal. However, I recognize that this franchise has placed significant trust in me by selecting me at the auction, and I’m committed to doing my utmost to help the team win the trophy," he concluded.