'If I don't see you smiling, I will stop speaking with you': Shashank Singh recalls how Jonny Bairstow's words turned his IPL season around

Shashank Singh has been the find of the season for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Shashank who was not on PBKS’ list of players to target in the auction found his way into the side due to a faux pas but he has proved that he belongs at this level with consistent performances in the middle order. However, his career for PBKS did not get off to an ideal start. In the run chase against Delhi Capitals (DC), he got out for a golden duck to Khaleel Ahmed. While PBKS managed to win by four wickets, Shashank was sitting dejected in the dugout. That's when he got support from his teammate Jonny Bairstow.
 

“I got a duck in our season opener (against Delhi Capitals on March 23), was sitting dejected in the dug-out, and suddenly Jonny tapped me from behind and said, ‘If I don’t see you smiling, I will stop speaking with you’. I have kept it in mind ever since,” Shashank said in an interview with Sportstar ahead of PBKS' clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 9.
 

Shashank and Bairstow’s IPL 2024 numbers

The 32-year-old Shashank has scored 315 runs from 11 games at an average of 63 including two half-centuries. He has scored at a strike rate of 165.79. In a few matches, he has shared formidable partnerships with Ashutosh Sharma even though all of them did not result in PBKS winning the game.

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On the other hand, Bairstow had a forgettable season as well until he scored his second IPL century in the record-breaking run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Bairstow scored an unbeaten 108 in the run chase at Eden Gardens. Interestingly, he shared an unbeaten 84-run partnership with Shashank for the third wicket. Shashank ended up scoring 68 runs from 28 balls in the run chase of 262 which ended with eight balls to spare.
 

Playoff chances in jeopardy

PBKS are placed eighth on the points table with four wins from seven games. They need to win all of their three remaining games to stay in contention of the playoff spot. 
 

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