Suryansh Shedge, a name increasingly linked with IPL 2026, has urged Punjab Kings to avoid dwelling on their recent fielding missteps. Even though PBKS have looked dominant at different stages of the tournament, lapses in the field have become one of the most discussed issues around the franchise. In their most recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab let go of three vital chances, with the dropped catches credited to Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh and Lockie Ferguson.
Among those errors, Shashank has been under the spotlight. So far this season, he has spilled five catches in just three matches. The problems began early, with three dropped chances against Lucknow Super Giants. In the game versus Delhi Capitals, the concerns were magnified when he failed to take a catch off KL Rahul at 12. Yet Shashank’s story in that match did not end there—Rahul went on to compile an unbeaten 152, the highest score by an Indian in IPL history.
Speaking in an interview, Shedge suggested that PBKS should treat fielding errors as a normal phase rather than a persistent trend. He said it’s not only Punjab experiencing such blunders, and that mistakes like these can happen to any team, including in previous seasons. In Shedge’s view, the bigger message is that the team’s earlier success—when they were taking chances and converting opportunities—shows the current run is temporary. He pointed out that the players and the team setup remain the same, implying that the situation will correct itself.
Shedge has also been part of Punjab’s recent run of matches, featuring in their last three games. During that stretch, he has scored 85 runs with an average of 42.50 and a strike rate of 177.08, figures that reflect his impact with the bat and explain why his inclusion has arrived at a crucial moment. Punjab, having been runners-up last season, are now in a strong position to reach the playoffs. They are currently second in the standings with 13 points, after winning six matches and losing three, though the race remains competitive with other sides pushing hard for the remaining spots.
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting has also addressed the catching concerns with the broadcasters, describing it as a kind of “virus” affecting the team. He noted that PBKS have dropped a number of catches so far this season, adding that the players have been working exceptionally hard. Ponting singled out Shashank, saying it seems like chances have been finding him at difficult moments, particularly when he is dealing with a high ball. He further explained that Shashank missed a couple of matches due to a left hamstring issue, which meant it took around a week and a half for him to return. Ponting said Shashank spent the following week doing his work to get physically ready, and that the coaching staff have ramped up catching drills over the last five or six days.
