IPL 2024: Dale Steyn Responds to Shashank Singh’s Heroics Against KKR, Calls Him ‘Wrong Purchase’

South African legend Dale Steyn had a heartwarming message for Shashank Singh after his heroics against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Friday (April 28). The right-handed batsman continued his spectacular run in IPL 2024 to help PBKS chase down a record 262 runs against the two-time IPL champions in their own backyard. Asked to bat first, KKR posted a mammoth score of 261/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Phil Salt and Sunil Narine once again starred with the bat, scoring 75 and 71 respectively to take KKR to their second 260-plus total this season.

In reply, PBKS chased down a mammoth total in 18.4 overs. Jonny Bairstow was the architect of the win with his unbeaten century while Prabhasimran Singh and Shashank Singh scored blistering half-centuries. Prabhsimran set the tone for the chase with an 18-ball fifty inside the powerplay before Bairstow took charge. After Riley Rossouw was dismissed for 26 runs in the 13th over, Shashank Singh took charge of the innings. When Shashank Singh came out to bat, PBKS still needed 84 runs from eight overs. He fired on all cylinders from the start to lead PBKS to a historic win. The right-handed batsman scored an unbeaten 68 off just 28 balls with two fours and eight sixes.

Dale Steyn’s message for Shashank Singh:
Dale Steyn didn’t take long to react to Shashank Singh’s brilliant innings against KKR. Soon after the PBKS batsman starred with the bat in the record chase, the former South African fast bowler took to X (earlier Twitter) to share his delight at the batsman’s performance.

Recalling Shashank Singh’s time with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the former SRH bowler and coach praised the batsman’s attitude and his performance against KKR, writing:

“I couldn’t be happier for Shashank! He was with us at SRH a few years back, such a hard worker, a great team person, gives his all and always has a smile on his face.

I couldn’t be happier for Shashank!
He was with us at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy, gives it his all and always has a smile on his face.

Well done my friend! So well deserved 👏

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) April 26, 2024

“Well done my friend! Well deserved 👏”

Shashank Singh ‘wrong buy’ in IPL 2024:
Shashank Singh has been one of the few positives for PBKS this season. He is currently the highest run-scorer for his team. In nine matches, he has scored 263 runs with the help of two half-centuries. He averages over 65 and his strike rate is over 182 in IPL 2024.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons during the auction last year. It was accidentally or wrongly bought by PBKS in the last auction. The franchise wanted to buy a different player but ended up with him.

PBKS also requested the auctioneer to reverse the bid but it did not happen. Shashank has responded in style by becoming the most important batsman of PBKS in the ongoing IPL 2024.