How Punjab Kings Bought the Wrong Shashank Singh and Found a Match Winner

That’s exactly what happened with Shashank Singh and the Punjab Kings at the IPL 2024 Auction. In what was initially seen as a blunder, Punjab accidentally picked a player they hadn’t planned for. Yet, against all odds, Shashank proved to be a game-changer. So how did such a high-level mix-up occur? Let’s look into the surprising story.

Punjab Kings Buying Shashank Singh in IPL 2024 Auction

It was the date of 19 December 2023, and all 10 IPL teams had gathered for the IPL 2024 auction, each one aiming to pick the best talents to strengthen their squads. Amid the tension and high-stakes decision-making, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) found themselves caught in an unexpected situation as one that would become one of the most talked-about moments of the auction.

During the accelerated round, when bidding happens at a faster pace and lesser-known names are up for grabs, PBKS made a significant blunder. The auctioneer, Mallika Sagar, called out the name of Shashank Singh, a 32-year-old uncapped Indian all-rounder who plays for Chhattisgarh in domestic cricket. After a brief discussion, PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta raised the paddle, and Shashank was officially bought for his base price of Rs 20 lakh.

What seemed like a routine move quickly turned into a major goof-up. Moments after the bid was finalized and the auction had moved on to the next player, the PBKS management realized they had made a mistake. They had mistaken Shashank Singh for another player with a similar name or profile. The confusion led to internal discussions, and the team soon approached the auctioneer to inform her of the error.

PBKS co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia made efforts to correct the blunder. They requested the auction officials to allow them to re-enter Shashank Singh into the auction pool so they could undo the transaction. However, according to IPL auction rules, once the gavel falls and the purchase is confirmed, the sale is final. No changes are permitted after that point, no matter the circumstances.

This left Punjab Kings with no option but to accept Shashank Singh as part of their squad, even though he was not the player they had originally intended to sign. The situation was both awkward and humorous, and it immediately drew attention from fans and media across the cricketing world. Many questioned how such an error could occur at such a high level, where professional scouts, analysts, and team owners are expected to be fully prepared.

Punjab Kings Issue Clarification After Auction Mix-Up

After buying Shashank Singh in the IPL Auction 2024, the Punjab Kings became a laughing stock for everyone in the cricketing community, following a bizarre moment during the accelerated round in Dubai. The franchise made headlines when they successfully bid for Shashank Singh but then tried to reverse the decision by informing auctioneer Mallika Sagar that they didn’t intend to purchase him.

What followed was widespread confusion, as many assumed the team had mistakenly picked a player they didn’t want. However, a day later, Punjab Kings issued a formal clarification, explaining that it was all due to mistaken identity. According to the statement, there were two players with the same name as Shashank Singh in the auction list. The one they bought, a 32-year-old all-rounder from Chhattisgarh, had actually been on their radar from the start. However, after the auction, Satish Menon, the CEO of Punjab Kings, cleared the misunderstanding and said that:

Two players of similar names on the IPL list created confusion. I am delighted to share that the right Shashank Singh has been onboarded. He has put out some noteworthy performances, and we’re ready to unleash his talent.

Punjab Kings clarified, “The player was always on our target list. The confusion was due to 2 players of the same name being on the list. We are delighted to have him on board and see him contribute to our success”. The Shashank Singh they picked has previous IPL experience with Sunrisers Hyderabad and has shown potential as a valuable all-rounder. After the clarification, Shashank himself responded on social media, saying, “It’s all cool… Thank you for trusting on me!!!!”.

Shashank Singh’s IPL Career

Shashank Singh started his IPL career with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2022 when he was bought by the team. In his debut season, he featured in 10 matches and scored 69 runs, with his highest score being 25* against Gujarat Titans. Batting lower down the order, he managed a strike rate of 146.80 and an average of 17.25. While he didn’t notch up any half-centuries or centuries, his contributions were useful in finishing roles. That year, he also bowled in 2 innings, delivering 12 balls and conceding 20 runs without taking a wicket. His best bowling figures were 0/10 against Kolkata Knight Riders. 

After a brief absence, Shashank returned to the IPL in 2024, this time donning the Punjab Kings jersey. The 2024 season was a breakthrough for him as in 14 matches, he scored an impressive 354 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 164.65 and an average of 44.25. His standout knock came against KKR, where he remained unbeaten on 68*. He smashed 28 fours and 21 sixes that season and also bowled in one match, taking 1 wicket for 5 runs in an over against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His economy rate stood at 5.00, making it a memorable all-round outing. 

In 2025, he continued with Punjab Kings and appeared in 2 matches till now. He has scored 44 runs with a staggering strike rate of 275.00, remaining unbeaten on 44* against Gujarat Titans. He hasn’t bowled in this season but made a notable contribution in the field with 1 catch. Across his IPL career so far so far, Shashank Singh has played 26 matches, scoring 467 runs with 2 fifties, a combined strike rate of 166+, and contributing both with the bat and in the field, making him a valuable asset in the T20 format.