Source: NDTV Sports

The Indian Premier League is a theatre of high drama, where fortunes can swing wildly with a single six or a crucial dropped catch. No team exemplified this more in IPL 2026 than the Punjab Kings (PBKS). After an impressive run to the finals in 2025, culminating in a runner-up finish, and entering 2026 as genuine trophy contenders, PBKS embarked on a journey that would confound fans and experts alike. What began as a dominant surge, with six wins from their first seven matches, devolved into an unprecedented six-match losing streak, ultimately costing them a playoff spot. It was a collapse of Agatha Christie proportions, leaving a trail of unanswered questions.

Recently, through an exclusive conversation reported by NDTV Sports, PBKS batter Shashank Singh, a stalwart with the franchise since 2024, offered a candid glimpse into the dressing room’s psyche and his own personal struggles amidst the team’s dramatic downfall. His honest admission – ‘I am also human’ – resonates deeply, reminding us that even elite athletes grapple with the immense pressure and psychological toll of top-tier professional sport.

The Unravelling: A Six-Game Mystery

For a team that had built significant momentum, winning six of their first seven games (with one washout), the subsequent descent into six consecutive losses was baffling. The initial half of the season saw PBKS, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, playing with a swagger befitting pre-tournament favourites. They outplayed most opponents, seemingly cruising towards a playoff berth.

Singh recalled the atmosphere within the camp during this period. ‘Obviously, after winning six games, the morale was very high. There were no negative discussions,’ he stated. However, as the losses mounted, a sense of confusion settled in. ‘But at the same time, we kept wondering why it was happening,’ Singh admitted, highlighting the unprecedented nature of their collapse – ‘Winning six or seven games in a row and then losing six on the trot is a collapse that very few teams have experienced.’

The IPL’s relentless pace offers little room for introspection and immediate course correction. ‘It’s not as if you’re changing the playing XI every match. Usually, 10 or 11 players remain the same,’ Singh explained, underscoring the challenge of fixing deep-seated issues on the fly. While confusion reigned, Singh was keen to stress that negativity never infiltrated the dressing room. ‘The best part was that we never turned negative.’

Dispelling Rift Rumours and Post-Mortem Realisations

The internet, in its typical fashion, was abuzz with rumours of rifts and internal strife within the PBKS camp during their losing streak. Such speculation often accompanies dramatic team failures, providing easy narratives for frustrated fans. Singh unequivocally dismissed these claims, stating, ‘Not at all. Not even by 0.1 per cent.’ He painted a picture of a calm and composed team, where ‘The way we approached the first six games and the way we approached the last eight games was exactly the same.’

The presence of experienced figures like captain Shreyas Iyer, bowling spearhead Arshdeep Singh, seasoned spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and coach Ricky Ponting was crucial in maintaining equilibrium. These individuals, having faced similar pressures before, focused on positives and guided the younger players. ‘We were never bothered by what was being said on social media, and we never really discussed it among ourselves either,’ Singh affirmed.

With the benefit of hindsight, Singh and his teammates could pinpoint the critical junctures where the season slipped away. ‘Now that the IPL has been over for nearly three months, when we look back on that phase, we realise there were several key moments that cost us games. We dropped crucial catches, could have bowled better in important overs, and failed to build on important partnerships.’ This retrospective clarity highlights the razor-thin margins in T20 cricket, where small errors accumulate to devastating effect.

The All-Rounder’s Resolve: Stepping Up with the Ball

Shashank Singh’s contributions weren’t limited to his batting. He proved to be a valuable, if unconventional, bowling option. Nursing an injury that limited his domestic cricket participation prior to IPL 2026, Singh arrived mentally prepared to contribute with the ball. Understanding the nuances of the Impact Player rule, which often sees teams field five specialist bowlers, he recognised his potential role as a sixth or seventh bowling option.

This self-awareness and foresight paid dividends. In a critical match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head punishing PBKS bowlers, Singh stepped forward. ‘I went to Shreyas and told him, ‘Just give me an over or two and I’ll make sure I do the job,” he recounted. He had visualised such high-pressure scenarios repeatedly in practice, demonstrating the mental fortitude required for spontaneous heroics. Singh delivered, picking up two crucial wickets, offering a brief glimmer of hope amidst the gloom.

His proactive approach underscores the evolving role of all-rounders in T20 cricket, where players must be ready to adapt and contribute across departments, often at short notice. It speaks volumes about his commitment and preparation, providing an invaluable asset to his captain when specialist options faltered.

The Human Element: Admitting Fielding Woes

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of Singh’s admission revolves around his fielding. Dropped catches can be game-changers in T20 cricket, and Singh candidly spoke about his struggles in this department during IPL 2026. ‘My friends still troll me about them,’ he quipped, before offering a deeply personal insight into the mental aspect of fielding.

‘Honestly, there wasn’t any technical issue. Fielding is all about enjoying the process. After I dropped those first two catches against LSG, I stopped enjoying it,’ he revealed. This stark honesty is rare in professional sports, where athletes are often expected to project an image of unwavering confidence. Singh’s admission that a mental block, rather than a physical deficiency, was the root cause of his fielding struggles highlights the immense psychological pressure athletes endure.

He recounted advice from coaches since his U-16 days: to enjoy fielding and not be too harsh on oneself. Yet, in the high-stakes environment of the IPL, that enjoyment evaporated. ‘The IPL is such a fast-paced tournament that once something goes wrong, it tends to stay in your mind,’ he observed. Despite taking ‘500 to 1,000 catches a day’ in practice, the mental hurdle persisted. ‘I kept wondering, ‘Why is this happening?”

It was only after the tournament, consulting with coaches and close friends, that he realised the missing piece: enjoyment. ‘I wasn’t doing that, and as a human being, mistakes can happen. It was a learning experience for me, and hopefully, in the coming years, I will enjoy fielding a lot more.’

This insight into the psychology of fielding is crucial. It reminds us that even highly skilled professionals are susceptible to performance anxiety and mental blocks. His openness about being ‘human’ in the face of errors is a powerful message, offering a relatable perspective on the pressures of elite sport.

Strategic Shift: Focusing on White-Ball Cricket

Beyond his reflections on the IPL, Singh also shed light on a significant career decision: his recent move from Chhattisgarh to Pondicherry in domestic cricket. This strategic shift is driven by a clear goal: to specialise in white-ball cricket, particularly as a bowling all-rounder.

‘For this season, I want to focus primarily on white-ball cricket… because I really want to develop as a bowler,’ he stated. For all-rounders, playing all three formats can be physically and mentally demanding. Singh’s desire to become a ‘proper white-ball all-rounder, someone who can bowl 10 overs in a one-day match and also score a hundred’ speaks to his ambition and a modern approach to career management.

The move also hints at deeper issues within state cricket associations. Singh felt a perceived ‘lack of support’ from his former state, prompting him to seek an environment that aligned better with his white-ball ambitions. ‘Instead of arguing over it, I thought it was better to move on because a cricketer’s career is not very long,’ he wisely concluded. This pragmatic decision highlights the autonomy players increasingly seek to shape their careers and maximise their potential in a competitive landscape.

Conclusion: Learning from the Rollercoaster

Shashank Singh’s reflections offer a multifaceted view of an IPL season that defied expectations. From the euphoria of early victories to the bewildering string of losses, the journey was a profound learning experience for PBKS and for Singh personally. His honest account of mental blocks in fielding, his proactive approach to bowling, and his strategic domestic career move collectively paint a picture of an athlete committed to growth and self-improvement.

The PBKS story from IPL 2026 will be remembered for its dramatic arc – a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. But through Singh’s candid admission, we gain a valuable reminder: behind every statistic, every spectacular catch, and every dropped chance, there is a ‘human’ striving to perform, grappling with pressure, and constantly learning. His journey is a microcosm of the wider challenges and triumphs faced by cricketers at the highest level, making his insights all the more compelling for fans and aspiring athletes alike.

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Disclaimer: This article draws on reporting originally published by NDTV Sports, expanded with additional analysis and context by the Cricket Mantra editorial team.