(This article was first published on 27 April 2024. It is being re -published. The QuintArchives).
At the age of 32, most of the cricketers considered plans after retirement. Investment. Holidays. Volume.
And then, one is Shashank Singhexternal. Discrepancy. Vipathan.
At the age of 32, in many ways, his career has only flew, after an exemplary 29-gent 61, who replaced the tables on the Titans of Gujarat on 5 April, in a way cheated the Narendra Modi Stadium to copy the 19 November-size silence. One in Punjab kings Teams who are not strangers to throw a towel during run-chase Indian Premier League (IPL)A new savior had arrived.
Shashank knows that he blossomed late. And he has no regrets on it.
Shailesh Singh knows that his son blossomed late. And, till date, he switchs from Chhattisgarh to Mumbai.
The Quint Talked with both to find out about the journey.
Bhilai’s ordinary boy in star-stored Mumbai
In 1991, when Shashank was born, Bhilai was a part of Madhya Pradesh – Chhattisgarh was almost a decade away from the independent identity. He started playing cricket at the age of five after the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Father Shailesh Singh, a IPS officer who currently worked with Madhya Pradesh Police, threw light on him.
I have always been a big fan of cricket. When India lost to Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup semi -finals, I was very hurt. At that time Shashank was only a small child, so I turned to him and thought, why did he not get him in cricket?
Shailesh Singh, Shashank Singh’s Father
Soon, he created it in Madhya Pradesh U-15 team, and then in the U-17 team. In local circuits, Shashank became a popular person, which meant being the next big thing in the state.
Shashank had to leave for Mumbai before he could start for a senior Madhya Pradesh team. The reason for this is – Shailesh Singh transferred to the office of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in Marine Lines.
The hero of a state was already the only one in the Star-Staded team.
A father’s pain
In Madhya Pradesh, Shailesh Singh celebrated his son’s remarkable knock with Jubil, suddenly in the headlines that surrounded Shashank overnight. Nevertheless, amidst enthusiasm, the feeling of regrets, putting a shadow on the celebration, the feeling of regrets.
It is nice to see your hard work finally paying, but all this could have happened many years ago. I have only regret. He has always been a good player, it is not that Shashank magically turned into a great batsman last night.
Shailesh Singh, Shashank Singh’s Father
Ten years ago, Shashank found herself helpless, navigating the cricketing landscape of Mumbai, discovered.
He was really batting well in Mumbai. In one of the local matches, he also received a triple century. I felt that his future was safe, but I knew very little how the ‘Mumbai lobby’ works. Despite scoring consecutive runs, he never got enough opportunities in the Mumbai team. The only reason for this came from Shashank Chhattisgarh, he was not a local.
Shailesh Singh, Shashank Singh’s Father
Close to the age of retirement, Shailesh says that he has seen enough to feel that the world is higher than that of Rainbow.
I believe in the law of Gresham – the bad currently runs a good currency from the market. I have been in force for many years, I have seen a lot of things. To be successful, you need to know the twisted methods of the world. This is a harsh reality. Can a plain and simple person become an influential politician? This is not possible. Similarly, there is politics in cricket that I realized, but Shashank was very simple and simple to deal with it. He avoided any kind of controversies. He was alone victim, he cried alone, but never raised his voice.
Shailesh Singh, Shashank Singh’s Father
But Shashank exposed the principle of prejudice
Shashank represented Mumbai in the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy, scoring 95 runs at a strike rate of 172.72 only in his first campaign. He also donated a Mumbai shirt in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but never in the Ranji Trophy.
He believes that it was due to the fierce competition and the presence of better batsmen, which was contrary to the play of any prejudices.
I played for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I had a good four years there. I could not go to the red-ball team, but it was due to the competition. Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dubey, Siddhesh Lad – Everyone was scoring runs. Mumbai was winning.
Shashank Singh
However, he believes that it took a toll on him emotionally.
At one level, you feel that you also want to play first class cricket, not only white ball cricket. When I decided to return to my home state of Chhattisgarh. It was a difficult phase, I would not say that it was not. It was more difficult than anything emotionally than anything. But at the end of the day, everything went well.
Shashank Singh
During that period, when Shashank was dying for a place in the Mumbai squad, Suryakumar Yadav and Siddhesh Lad’s choice were regular features. The batsman believes that he was nowhere to the pair in terms of capacity, which served as an inquiry until a rigorous reality.
Answering another question, he said:
I got self-confidence from my Mumbai term, because earlier when I used to play for Madhya Pradesh, I was the best player there. The MP cricket was not as strong as it is now. But in Mumbai, you have become confident in yourself because the competition is so high. Mumbai gave me a reality check where I stand. When I saw Surya and Siddhesh’s choice of batting, I realized that I was nowhere near their level. It was an eye opening.
Shashank Singh
Struggle in Mumbai makes Shashank the player who is today: Coach Devendra Bundela
After waiting patiently by 2019, Shashank scored his first score to start his much -awaited Ranji Trophy, and to date, the solitary first -class century under the leadership of former Madhya Pradesh player Devendra Bundela, which was the coach of Chhattisgarh till last year.
Share his opinion about Shashank’s Mumbai term The QuintBundela said:
I like to have a positive attitude. Shashank did not get many opportunities in Mumbai, it is true, but I believe that the struggle Shashank had to bear there, which he played a role in making him a player today. Some get immediate success in cricket while some wait for many years. Shashank has to wait, but he has finally got his chance.
Denda budhela
Echoing similar feelings, both Shashank’s former coach and his father shares the belief that Shashank’s recent performance may indicate the beginning of a new and extraordinary chapter in his career.
‘The Shashank Redemption’ – as is being said.
Punjab Kings will like it very much, as they aim to script their own redemption chap.
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