NEW DELHI: Young Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, who was picked by Punjab Kings in the IPL mega auction, is excited to build on his chemistry with skipper Shreyas Iyer as he prepares for his maiden IPL season.
The 22-year-old has already showcased his finishing abilities in domestic cricket, playing a pivotal role in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph under Iyer’s leadership.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW
In the final, he smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls and contributed with the ball, taking 1/32, earning the Player of the Match award in their five-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh.
Having made his senior Mumbai debut this season, Shedge is confident that Iyer’s presence will help him settle quickly at Punjab Kings.
"If you look at Punjab Kings' track record over the past few years, they have always invested in young talent and closely scouted the domestic circuit," he said in a release.
"I am really excited to be part of the franchise. Having Shreyas bhaiya as captain makes things easier because he is a familiar face."
Another key figure Shedge is looking forward to working with is legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting.
"Ricky Ponting is a legend — he's beyond words. Even after retirement, he has given back to cricket and remained deeply involved in the game.
"He has been part of the IPL for many years, so he knows the ins and outs of the tournament. Aussies are known for their fearless attitude, and he embodies that. We are hopeful that under his guidance, we will lift the trophy this year."
Shedge will also reunite with his Mumbai teammate Musheer Khan at Punjab Kings, with both players being picked for their base price of Rs 30 lakh.
On the second day of the IPL mega auction, Shedge was on a team bus heading to the hotel after a training session when he began streaming the auction on his phone.
"I saw Musheer Khan's name and knew I would be coming up shortly. Punjab Kings bought him, so I was really excited," he recalled.
"I was about to call him, but just then, my name appeared on the screen. Punjab Kings raised the paddle, and we all celebrated on the bus. The first call I received was from Musheer, as we both will be playing for the same team."
Following a call with his parents, Shedge was congratulated by his Mumbai teammates, including Iyer, at the dining table, where he was playfully dubbed 'Punjab da Munda' by his teammates.
