Punjab Kings (PBKS) kicked off their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a five-day pre-season camp in Udaipur from January 16 to 20, focusing on team bonding, fitness and role clarity ahead of the new campaign.
The camp featured a blend of experienced campaigners and promising young talent. IPL’s leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal and middle-order batter Shashank Singh were among the senior players in attendance, alongside youngsters Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Suryansh Shedge, Vishal Nishad and Pravin Dubey. With the franchise retaining 21 players from last season, the emphasis remained on continuity and building on last year’s momentum.
Shashank Singh, who recently recovered from a minor injury, highlighted the importance of reconnecting with teammates and integrating new faces into the squad.
“The core focus was mostly on bonding because we met after so long,” Shashank said. “The energy was superb. We were all very positive, just like last year. The venue was lovely, perfect weather and great ground facilities. We really enjoyed it and got exactly what we wanted from this camp.”
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The middle-order batter was one of PBKS’s standout performers last season, scoring 350 runs in 14 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 153.5. He was particularly impressed by the growth shown by the team’s emerging players during the camp.
“There are so many young players in our team: Suryansh, Priyansh, Pyla and Vishal,” he said. “It was great spending time with them. They’ve become more eager, more mature and more excited for this year. They keep asking questions, and sharing experiences with them has been amazing.”
On a personal front, Shashank said the camp helped him regain rhythm and sharpen his mental approach, while crediting the franchise’s medical team for their support during his recovery.
“For me, cricket is more about the mental setup,” he explained. “This camp helped me get into a better mental space. I’m getting into the groove, working on fitness, and I feel I’ll be match-fit in a week or two.”
Signing off with a message for the loyal ‘Sher Squad’, Shashank promised an entertaining and spirited season ahead.
“I want to thank our fans for always supporting us. Our fans are the best,” he said. “I’m sure the red and gold vibe will be there at every game. We’ll make sure you’re entertained and leave the ground with a smile on your face.”
