February 28, 2025: After a great Indian Premier League season last year, Punjab Kings’ explosive batter Shashank Singh is ready to don the red jersey once again and prove his mettle. Having made the headlines with his impressive match-winning performances in season 17 of the tournament, Shashank described how his life has changed in this one year.

Shashank’s back-to-back thrilling performances earned him immense popularity, making him the ninth most searched athlete on Google across the globe in 2024. He grabbed eyeballs when he scored 61* in just 29 balls against Gujarat Titans and helped the team end up on the winning side.

Speaking about the same, Shashank said, “I did not know that Google releases a list of people who are searched across the world. It’s a big thing honestly. I prefer celebrating in solace. But deep inside, it feels good that people across India and the world are searching for my name and knowing what I do.”

Singh credited his time with Punjab for the same. “It has been possible because of the Punjab Kings. There are so many cricketers who are talented, and playing at the top level but Punjab Kings has always shown trust in me and have backed me. It’s true that I worked hard as well.”

Shashank, who was retained by the franchise this season, will also be meeting his DY Patil T20 Cup teammates Shreyas Iyer and Suryansh Shedge at Punjab Kings and expressed his excitement about sharing the dressing room with them once again.

“I am excited to meet Shreyas because I have played cricket with him at the junior level. We played together in the DY Patil T20 Cup and we share a good bond. I am very excited to play under his captaincy this season. I am also excited to reunite with Suryansh, who is also from the same DY Patil team. He is a very bright prospect for both Punjab Kings and the country.,” said Shashank.

Shashank also expressed gratitude to the franchise for the support and the trust vested in him by them. He further expressed the desire and enthusiasm to continue to perform well this season.

“I am extremely lucky that I was a part of this franchise last year and was retained. I personally feel great about the innings against Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. It was a special feeling that the team finished on the winning side and I was the one who was standing there,” The 33-year-old said.

“The support the management gave me last year is something that is very close to my heart. Now I could say that I am emotionally attached to the franchise. I’ll make sure that I do all the right things that I did last year to retain this trust.”

Punjab Kings will open their campaign for IPL season 18 on March 25 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Cuttack. Patna Pirates and Services’ star raider Devank Dalal emerged as one of Pro Kabaddi League’s most electrifying talents in Season 11, finishing as the league’s top raider with 301 raid points and 18 Super 10s to his name.

Backing up these credentials, he was also recently crowned the ‘Best Player’ in the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship. Devank led the Services team to victory in the championship finals held at Cuttack’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where they overcame Railways in a nail-biting contest.

“I first started by watching kabaddi. I was inspired by watching Pardeep Narwal play,” Dalal recalled. His early sports journey included stints in football and cricket before finding his true calling in kabaddi after tenth grade.

Find the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq4d6zOBV2g&list=PLRCRfCBtYJXL_jqmInGru_LcbEgW7jnBu

The turning point in Dalal’s career came with his entry into the armed forces. “When I joined the army, I realized that yes, I could play,” he said. This realization sparked a journey that would see him rise through the ranks of Indian kabaddi, eventually leading to his selection for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, before he moved to the Patna Pirates ahead of PKL Season 11.

His selection for the Patna Pirates marked a moment of celebration in his village. “There was a different feeling at home. My family and villagers were happy that I was selected for the Patna team. People distributed laddoos and rasgullas in the village,” he reminisced.

The 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship showcased Dalal’s exceptional talent on a national stage. The tournament, featuring top state and institutional teams from across India, culminated in a heart-stopping finale where Services faced off against a formidable Railways squad. The match ended in a 30-30 deadlock, forcing a suspenseful tie-breaker where Services ultimately prevailed 6-4, with Dalal playing a pivotal role in securing crucial raid points during the pressure situation.

In the PKL, his journey with Patna Pirates has been equally impressive. In Season 11, he emerged as the league’s best raider with an outstanding 301 raid points, including 18 Super 10s, leading his team to the finals where they faced a tough 32-23 defeat against the Haryana Steelers.

Speaking about his growth in the sport, Dalal emphasized the importance of continuous learning and team spirit. “We used to practice together, play together. When you have your own people, there’s trust,” he explained. This philosophy has been crucial to his success, as evidenced by his remarkable performances.

The young raider’s humility shines through when discussing his achievements. “In our team, there’s nothing like main raider. All the attackers raid equally. Our partnership (with Ayan Lohchab) works well,” he said, reflecting on his team dynamics.

Looking ahead, Dalal remains focused on continuous improvement and team success. His technical understanding of the sport is profound: “Wherever I raid – whether it’s in six, four, or five – movement and stopping make a difference. If I stop my movement, I get caught quickly, and if I don’t move, points come easily,” he concluded, looking forward to his future in the sport with an eye on becoming the best raider in the game.

Cuttack. Services emerged victorious in a nail-biting finale against Railways to claim the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. The team with immense star-power prevailed 30-30 (6-4) in a tie-breaker, showcasing remarkable composure when it mattered most as the clash could have gone either way.

Led by Pro Kabaddi League star Naveen Kumar, Services demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the tournament. The final was a star-studded affair featuring some of India’s top talents, including Railways’ dynamic raider Pankaj Mohite and defensive stalwart Parvesh Bhainswal. Services’ defensive combination of Jaideep Dahiya and Rahul Sethpal — winners of the PKL in season 11 — proved crucial in key moments.

Services’ path to glory included an impressive 43-35 semifinal triumph over Punjab, while Railways had secured their final berth with a convincing 42-34 win against Uttar Pradesh. Earlier in the tournament, Railways had dominated Rajasthan (54-31) in their quarter-final matchup, while Services overcame Haryana (43-32).

The final day also saw notable performances in other quarter-finals, with Uttar Pradesh defeating Goa 51-26, and Punjab edging past Maharashtra 35-26. The packed crowd at the indoor stadium witnessed great competitive kabaddi and cheered for their favorite star players.