
Kings have passed the first hurdle, says Shashank Singh
The 2025 season has brought to an end Punjab Kings' (PBKS) 11-year wait to make the IPL playoffs. And with victory over the Mumbai Indians in its last home league stage fixture, the Shreyas Iyer-led side has ensured it will have two shots at making just its second final.
After the victory, batter Shashank Singh said that the team is ecstatic that its manifestation ahead of the season has come to fruition.
'It feels surreal. When the auctions were done, we had a group on WhatsApp where we had conversations and manifested that this year we would win the title. The first aim was to finish in the top two, and we passed that hurdle,' Shashank said.
'Manifesting is one thing, believing is another. We worked hard for this, and credit goes to every single individual associated with Punjab Kings. It's not easy finishing in the top two of the league like the IPL,' he said.
The Chhattisgarh batter also heaped praise on head coach Ricky Ponting and Shreyas for creating a perfect team culture.
'The main motto of Ricky sir and Shreyas since day one has been the need to maintain a culture, the need to care for each other, and then the result will take care of itself,' the 33-year-old said.
'Ricky has been by far the best coach I've played under. He has changed our mindset and belief, and the credit must go to him for changing our perspective of the game,' he added.

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