January 29, 2025 || TC - Suryansh Shedge, a rising star for Punjab Kings, is eager to showcase his skills in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The right-handed batter is confident that playing alongside Shreyas Iyer again will make his adjustment to the IPL smoother.
Shedge, who was added to the Punjab Kings roster during the November IPL Auction last year, made a significant impact with a match-winning 36-run unbeaten knock off 15 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, helping Mumbai secure the trophy.
"If you track the record of Punjab Kings over the past few years, they always invest in new talent. And they scout the domestic circuit closely. I am really excited to be a part of the franchise. Shreyas bhaiya being the Captain makes it easier because he is a familiar face," he said.
Shedge will also reunite with his Mumbai teammate Musheer Khan at Punjab Kings and recalls the moment they were both picked by the franchise. On the second day of the IPL Auction, Shedge was on a bus heading to the team hotel after a training session when he started watching the auction on his phone.
"I saw Musheer Khan's name and knew I would be coming up shortly. Punjab Kings bought him, so I was really excited. I was just about to call him, but my name appeared, so I stopped. Punjab Kings raised the paddle, and we all celebrated on the bus. The first call I received was Musheer's, as we both will play for the same team," the 21-year-old said.
After receiving a call from his parents, Suryansh was congratulated by his Mumbai teammates, including Iyer, at the dining table. He was affectionately nicknamed 'Punjab da Munda' by his Mumbai colleagues. Now, Suryansh is determined to make a mark with Punjab and entertain the fans. "Whatever the team needs, I am there. I will not carry a fixed mindset. And I will entertain the fans," he said.
Shedge also shared his experience of dealing with a back injury last year, which interrupted his Mumbai career. At the time, he was on the verge of being called up to the senior team, but a stress fracture setback forced him to rest. The injury left him unsure about his future in the game.
"It was revealed that my stress fracture had relapsed. I was taken aback. The first two months were a blur and I was only going through the motions. I wanted that year to make my mark," he said.
"I was not confident about a comeback. When you are in a city like Mumbai, the competition is always tough. You will find talent in every street. I thought I will be forgotten and my career will go downhill," he added.
With encouragement from his friends and family, Suryansh regained confidence and focused on strength-building exercises. As he grew physically stronger, he also added more hard-hitting shots to his game.
"It is not easy to make a comeback in the Mumbai senior team. I came back and scored three centuries in three games and was selected for the U-23. I scored 168 runs and helped the team win the match, which pushed my candidacy to be selected in the senior Mumbai team and earned the opportunity to represent Mumbai in Ranji Trophy," he said.
After impressing in domestic cricket over the past year, Suryansh is now focused on helping Punjab Kings win the IPL title. He is also eager to learn from legendary coach Ricky Ponting.
"Ricky Ponting is a legend. He is beyond words. After retirement, he gave back to cricket and has been constantly involved with the community. He has been a part of IPL for many years - so he knows ins and outs. Aussies are known for their fearless attitude and that's what he personifies. We are hopeful that under his guidance, we will lift the trophy this year," he concluded.