Shashank Singh has ended his seven-year association with Chhattisgarh, citing indifference from the state association, and signed for Puducherry ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season. The allrounder, who serves as vice-captain to Shreyas Iyer at Punjab Kings, says he wants clarity rather than what he calls ridicule.
“I tried to engage in dialogue with the state association officials soon after the IPL season, but I didn’t receive any response,” Shashank told ESPNcricinfo. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh issued him a no-objection certificate and declined to comment further on his allegations.
The move fits a wider pattern this off-season. Punjab’s Nehal Wadhera also switched states, joining Himachal Pradesh, as India’s domestic circuit reshuffles ahead of 2026-27. For IPL regulars without a fixed state deal, a change of association can mean a fresh chance to be judged on form rather than politics.
Why Shashank Singh Left Chhattisgarh Cricket
Shashank says he was left out of the 2026 Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League without explanation. He was also overlooked for the state’s conditioning camp for probables, despite winning the BCCI award for the best domestic white-ball allrounder in 2023-24.
“I’m not saying you give me preferential treatment, but someone who won that award deserves some clarity, not ridicule,” he said. That frustration, he explained, had been building since the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.
Shashank Singh’s Injury Battles With Chhattisgarh
Shashank suffered a Grade 2 shoulder strain while fielding against Mumbai in that Ranji season. He still batted through the pain in the same match, scans confirming the injury to his own physio. He says association officials read his caution afterwards as a lack of interest rather than an honest injury.
A fractured thumb followed at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He was hit by Prasidh Krishna during self-funded conditioning work ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Doctors feared he might miss the IPL entirely, but Chhattisgarh officials again doubted how serious it was, he claims.
Those two setbacks shaped his next decision. Shashank will now play only white-ball cricket for at least the coming season, a specialisation Puducherry agreed to before terms were finalised.
“In red-ball cricket, I tried my best to play as an allrounder, but my body didn’t allow it, and I’m tired of trying to convince people of this,” he said.
Shashank Singh’s Stats And Puducherry Future
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 24 | 905 | 29.19 | – | – |
| List A | 31 | 927 | 40.30 | 111.95 | 35 |
| T20 | 42 | 653 | – | 129.30 | 18 |
Those white-ball numbers explain why Chhattisgarh’s treatment stung so much. A List A strike rate above 111 and 35 wickets mark him out as exactly the allrounder white-ball sides go looking for.
In the IPL, Shashank remains Iyer’s deputy at Punjab Kings, a role earned through genuine form rather than favour. His electric 2024 campaign, 354 runs at a strike rate of 164.65 mostly finishing at five and six, secured his retention before the mega auction.
He played his part in Punjab Kings’ runners-up finish in 2025, but 2026 was tougher, marked by patchy form, dropped catches and lingering injury worries.
For Puducherry, the appeal is straightforward. They gain a proven IPL finisher who has shared a dressing room with Shreyas Iyer. That brings composure built from batting under pressure at franchise level.
Smaller associations such as Puducherry rarely land a player with Shashank’s IPL profile. For him, the trade-off looks simple enough. Less competition for a starting spot, in exchange for leaving a first-class set-up that never quite trusted his fitness.
“Puducherry is a fresh start,” Shashank said. “I’m hoping to rediscover my white-ball proficiency after having fully recovered from my injuries.”
For a cricketer who has spent a season defending his own commitment, that fresh start cannot come soon enough.
