For Punjab Kings’ Suryansh Shedge, the last year has been a lesson in both rise and resilience. A standout domestic season in 2024 earned him a swift Indian Premier League (IPL) breakthrough, but the sting of a final defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) still lingers.
What followed, however, brought clarity.
The Mumbai youngster has learned to focus on controllables, and as Punjab Kings prepare for IPL 2026, he sees last season’s heartbreak as the spark for a stronger comeback. The memory of falling short in the final remains fresh, but Suryansh has chosen to focus on the bigger picture.
“Whenever you lose a final, you’re bound to be disappointed. There were sad faces in the dressing room,” the PBKS batter told News18 CricketNext in an
exclusive conversation.
“But if you look at the tournament overall, we did quite well. Everything was clicking and there were a lot of positives. We couldn’t achieve what we wanted, but that kind of disappointment instils a different fire in you. Everyone has taken something from that season. We’ll go in as a better side this year,” he added.
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Punjab Kings’ decision to retain a strong core, including Suryansh, hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to him, continuity could be key.
“I’ll always be grateful for the faith they’ve shown in me. That kind of trust gives you security and motivates you to be the best version of yourself. Retaining so many players shows how confident the team is in its core. That belief can make a big difference,” he said.
Having grown up in Mumbai’s khadoos cricket culture, Suryansh values the balance captain Shreyas Iyer brings to the dressing room. He believes Iyer’s message is simple yet effective, and that clarity trickles down to the entire squad.
“It’s important to keep the environment the same, regardless of wins or losses. If emotions take over, it can affect the team. He always says results may not be in our hands, but effort is. So, the focus is on giving our best,” he explained.
“His winning attitude spreads across the team. When everyone buys into that mindset, good things happen,” he added.
One of the defining changes in the Punjab Kings setup last season was the arrival of head coach Ricky Ponting, and his impact was immediate.
More importantly, the synergy between Ponting and Iyer stood out.
“He is probably the most energetic person on the ground during practice. He’s constantly communicating, sharing feedback and connecting with players. Within a few days, it didn’t feel like I was meeting him for the first time – that’s how warm he is,” Suryansh said.
“Both the skipper and coach are on the same page, and that reflects in the team environment. When the entire group shares the same goal of winning, it creates a positive atmosphere – even in tough moments.”
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At 23, Suryansh has already experienced the uncertainty of limited opportunities, whether at the IPL level or in India A setups. But those phases have shaped his mindset.
“Those thoughts do come – everyone wants to play. But if it’s not in your control, there’s no point dwelling on it. Even if I’m not playing, I try to contribute in other ways and work on my skills. If you slip into a victim mindset, you stop improving,” he said.
“It’s about focusing on what you can do with the opportunities you get. That’s what separates growth from stagnation. It’s been a good year in terms of growth. I got to represent India in a couple of tournaments, and I’m truly grateful for that,” he concluded.
