Suryansh Shedge Excited for PBKS Journey with Shreyas Iyer

New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) The young talent of Punjab Kings, Suryansh Shedge, is set to showcase his abilities in the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The right-handed batter is optimistic that playing alongside Shreyas Iyer once again will ease his transition into the IPL.

Shedge, who was acquired by the franchise during the auction last November, made headlines with his remarkable unbeaten 36-run performance off just 15 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, which led Mumbai to victory.

"If you observe Punjab Kings' track record in recent years, they consistently invest in emerging talent and closely monitor the domestic cricket scene. I am genuinely thrilled to join the franchise. With Shreyas bhaiya as captain, it becomes easier due to his familiarity," he expressed.

Suryansh will also team up with his Mumbai colleague Musheer Khan and reminisced about the moment Punjab acquired both players. On the second day of the IPL Auctions, while on a bus to the team hotel post-training, he began streaming the auctions on his phone.

"I noticed Musheer Khan's name and realized I would be next. When Punjab Kings picked him, I was ecstatic. I was about to call him, but then my name popped up, so I paused. When Punjab Kings raised the paddle, we all rejoiced on the bus. The first call I received was from Musheer, as we are now teammates," the 21-year-old shared.

After a discussion with his parents, Suryansh received congratulations from his Mumbai teammates, including Iyer, at the dining table, where he was affectionately nicknamed 'Punjab da Munda' by them. Now, the domestic star is eager to leave his mark with Punjab and entertain the fans. "I am here for whatever the team requires. I won’t have a fixed mindset, and I will entertain the fans," he asserted.

Suryansh also recounted his back injury last year that disrupted his Mumbai career. At that time, he was vying for a place in Mumbai's senior team, and his physiotherapists advised him to rest. The cricketer confessed that he feared his career might be over.

"It turned out that my stress fracture had relapsed. I was shocked. The initial two months were a blur, and I merely went through the motions. I wanted that year to establish my presence," he admitted.

"I had doubts about making a comeback. In a competitive city like Mumbai, talent is abundant everywhere. I worried I would be forgotten, and my career would decline," he reflected.

Motivated by friends and family, Suryansh regained self-confidence and began participating in numerous strength training sessions. As he developed his physical strength, he also revamped his game to include more aggressive shots.

"Making a comeback to the Mumbai senior team is no simple task. I returned and scored three centuries in three matches, which led to my selection for the U-23 team. I scored 168 runs, contributing to our victory, which enhanced my chances to be chosen for the senior Mumbai team and compete in the Ranji Trophy," he recounted.

Now, after showcasing his skills for Mumbai in the domestic circuit over the past year, Suryansh aims to assist the Punjab Kings in clinching the title. He is hopeful about learning from Coach Ricky Ponting.

"Ricky Ponting is a legend. His contributions to cricket post-retirement have been incredible, and he remains actively involved with the community. With years of experience in the IPL, he knows the ins and outs of the game. Australians are known for their fearless nature, and he embodies that. We are optimistic that under his leadership, we will lift the trophy this year," he concluded.