PBKS' star Shashank Singh left Chhattisgarh to join Pondicherry for 2026-27 domestic season
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Shashank Singh scored 450 runs and took 11 wickets during VHT 2024-25 for Chhattisgarh.
Playing cricket at the highest level is not an easy task for a cricketer. The competition to represent a state is a big thing. Every year, countless cricketers take up the sport to reach the highest level. Some get success while many fade away.
In some cases, we have observed that cricketers move from one region or state to another when they do not get enough opportunities. The latest case is of Punjab Kings‘ all-rounder Shashank Singh.
The 34-year-old has decided to leave Chhattisgarh and move to Pondicherry to play for them in the 2026-27 domestic season. He has also informed the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association (CSCS) about his decision and applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Shashank Singh joined Pondicherry ahead of the 2026-27 season
The all-rounder has accused CSCS of mismanagement. He has confirmed that he sought an NOC from the cricket board to change his domestic team, and the CSCS has granted approval. That means Shashank will represent Pondicherry in the upcoming domestic season.
In an interview with TOI, Shashank said, “I suffered serious shoulder and finger injuries last season, but the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh didn’t support me at all in this phase. They didn’t put my name in the list of players for the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026, and my name was also missing in the Chhattisgarh squad.”
The all-rounder also said that he was asked to stick to IPL only. He added, “I was told that I only want to play in the IPL and not for Chhattisgarh in domestic cricket.” Notably, for his consistent performances, Shashank also won the Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited Overs Competitions for the 2023-24 season while playing for Chhattisgarh.
During that season, he scored 450 runs and took 11 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 204-25. In the SMAT Trophy, he finished with 188 runs in seven innings. The all-rounder also confirmed that he wants to focus on prolonging his white-ball career, which is why he has decided to take a break from the longer format.
Shashank is a key figure for PBKS in the IPL and played a key role in their run to the final in 2025. He scored 350 runs at a strike rate of 153.51. Even in the final, he was the lone survivor for PBKS against RCB, scoring 61 off 30 balls.
Which team does Shashank Singh play for in the IPL?
Shashank Singh has been part of Punjab Kings since IPL 2024.
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Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.