Image: Social media response to PBKS prediction of Shashank Singh going viral after playoff qualification / © News18
With the Punjab Kings (PBKS) sealing a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs for the first time since 2014, a bold pre-season statement by Shashank Singh has resurfaced online. Shashank had confidently predicted that PBKS would finish in the top two of the points table, a claim now seen as prophetic. PBKS clinched their playoff berth after defeating Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs and benefited from Gujarat Titans’ thumping 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals.
Currently third with 17 points from 12 matches, PBKS have two league games left to secure a top-two finish. In the match against RR, Nehal Wadhera (70 off 37) and Shashank Singh (59* off 30) powered PBKS to 219. Harpreet Brar’s 3/22 spell halted RR’s strong start. This marks a significant turnaround for the Mohali-based team, which finished 8th and 9th in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Their only close playoff push in the past decade came in 2017 when they finished fifth.