After scoring more than 500 runs in the previous two IPL seasons, prolific Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh was hoping to be selected for India. That optimism was further stoked by his recent performance for India A in Sri Lanka.
Prabhsimran participated in the 2023 Asian Games for India but was unable to compete. Now that he has been selected for three T20Is in Zimbabwe later this month, the batter is aware that, given the fierce competition in the shortest format, he will need to create an impression if he is gets to play in Harare.
Sanju Samson was unexpectedly left out of the squad, and Prabhsimran was chosen as the team’s second wicket-keeper batter after Ishan Kishan.
“You do feel good when something you are working towards all your life happens. The Asian Games experience back then was good but I didn’t get to play, so I can’t really talk about the nerves that you usually feel when you debut for India,” PTI quoted Prabhsimran as saying.
“Now in my heart, if I am going there (to Zimbabwe), I don’t want to come back (without playing). I have always thought that I have to represent the country but, I have to sustain there too. That is the only thing in my mind. If I get a chance, I will do my best so that I don’t go out of the team.”
Over the past year, Prabhsimran’s consistency has been particularly noteworthy. His six fifty plus innings in the most recent IPL are evidence that the 20s and 30s are now frequently transformed into significant scores. He and Priyansh Arya have grown to become one of the IPL’s most potent opening duos.
Prabhsimran doesn’t need to search elsewhere for further inspiration because he has played age group cricket with Punjab teammates Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is both Abhishek and Prabhsimran’s mentor.
“I have not had a session with Yuvi paaji post the IPL but I did call him after the India selection. It was a long phone call. He shared his experience of playing at the highest level. He always tells me to stay one step ahead of the bowler,” said Prabhsimran.
What about the other great cricket player in his life, Ricky Ponting, the head coach of PBKS?
“Both are different personalities but have the same mentality. Ricky sir has contributed a lot to my success. He was the one who called and told me about my retention (in 2024). He told me that he will make me a better player and he did.
“When you see the results, you want to keep learning from him. I am thankful to both Yuvi paaji and Ricky sir,” said Prabhsimran, who duly acknowledges the immense role IPL and his franchise PBKS have played in his growth. It was my eighth season with the franchise and I am glad that I have got the India call-up with them.”
In the high-stakes T20 format, Prabhsimran has not only grown much more reliable, but he can also bat in a variety of ways using traditional strokeplay.
Asked what he has done to evolve in the ever changing T20 game, he said: “In today’s world, you have to play high risk cricket. It used to be difficult to chase 160-170. Now even if a team gets 220-240, it doesn’t feel safe. You have to play high risk cricket and yet be consistent. That is what I focus on.
“Also, whenever I get free time, I don’t go out much. It is important to switch off from cricket but I can only do that for one or two days. I love to bat long even in training.
“If I get to play with 7-8 bowlers in the nets, I like each of them to bowl at least 10 overs to me. If you want to stay relevant, you have to add something new every year.”
