PBKS will open their IPL 2026 on March 31 against GT in New Chandigarh.
Last year, Punjab Kings made it to the final after a ten-year wait; however, they were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs in a fiercely contested final.
This year’s final is set on May 31 at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, and despite that heartache, Shashank is optimistic that the result will be different this time.
"I know that on May 31st, we will be playing at the Chinnaswamy and lifting the cup. It's not just a feeling; I know this. This will happen. It's the self-belief and team belief. Everyone is on the same page. There is confidence in everyone,” Shashank Singh said during the ‘JioStar Press Room’.
PBKS had finished the IPL 2025 league stage top of the table with 9 wins from 14 games. They then defeated the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to make it into the finals.
"We will take it match by match because the ultimate aim is to get a trophy. If we keep thinking we reached the final last year, there will be a lot of pressure on us. So our immediate aim is to prepare for our first game against GT, then against CSK and KKR,” Shashank added.
The team has kept 21 players from the previous campaign under the direction of Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, preserving a solid core.
"To play the final and win is the ultimate goal. But we have to focus on every match and rectify our mistakes; that will be easier. We are very motivated and excited that we are the same group. We are better prepared than last year,” he said.
Shashank spoke about his role in the lower middle order.
"It's important to love the role. Earlier, I also used to think I was a top-order batter, and I had been thrown down the order. But then I fell in love with the role. The most important thing to prosper in this role is to get the backing (of the team management and dressing room) because you need freedom to play high-risk cricket,” Shashank said.
Reflecting on his preparation, the 34-year-old revealed that personal milestones will take a backseat this season.
"It is moreof a mental game than a skill game during the IPL. The past year didn't go well for me, as I had a spate of injuries and I couldn't play competitive cricket much. My biggest goal is to make an impact on the team. Individual goals will be secondary because I want the team to win, and I want a photo with the cup.
I don't like batting much in the nets, and I prefer to bat in the games because my role requires using the mind more than the skill set and staying calm under pressure,” Shashank said.
Shashank also acknowledged the increased attention being paid to up-and-coming players like Priyansh Arya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who both made an impression the previous season. Shashank emphasized the need for supporting a successful rookie season by drawing on his personal experience.
"It won't be difficult, but teams will be better prepared, and there will be pressure for performance this year. We all know what the IPL is. There will be expectations from them. Like last year for me, I didn't want to be a one-year wonder; a lot of times, we see that happening. Those who do well in one season, their second season becomes really important because every team is planning for us, and there is fan, owner, and franchise pressure and performance pressure to match the previous season," he added.