IPL 2025 Final: Shashank Singh’s Blazing 61 in Vain as Punjab Kings Fall Short by 6 Runs Against RCB

Before the IPL 2025 season began, Shashank Singh confidently claimed that Punjab Kings would finish in the top two after the league stage. True to his prediction, the Shreyas Iyer-led squad enjoyed a stellar run, topping the points table.

However, they couldn’t maintain their dominance, losing twice to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, including a narrow six-run defeat in the final.

Shashank’s Heroic Knock Under Pressure

While chasing a target of 191, Punjab’s batting order crumbled under pressure, but Shashank Singh stood out with a valiant effort. His unbeaten 61 off 30 balls offered hope when all seemed lost.

Despite the loss, his innings was a remarkable display of grit and composure, arriving at the crease when RCB’s bowlers were in control and making them work hard till the end.

In IPL 2025, Shashank amassed 350 runs in 14 innings at an impressive strike rate of 153.50. His consistent performances have surely caught the eye of selectors as India looks to firm up its squad for the T20 World Cup in 2026.

With Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube struggling in the finisher’s role recently, Shashank could be a worthy contender.

From Auction Mix-Up to Retention

Shashank’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. During the 2024 auction, confusion arose over whether Punjab had selected the correct Shashank Singh due to the presence of another player with the same name.

But he quickly silenced all doubts with his stellar performances and was retained for INR 5.5 crore ahead of the 2025 mega-auction.

Tears in Defeat After a Memorable Knock

At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB clinched their maiden IPL title, winning by six runs. While the final margin seemed close, RCB had largely controlled the match.

However, Shashank’s powerful hitting in the final overs ensured Punjab exited the tournament with pride. He scored 22 runs off the last four balls of the match, facing Josh Hazlewood—a premier pacer.

The dramatic finish, though not enough to take Punjab over the line, was a testament to Shashank’s resilience. Out of partners and fighting alone, he gave his all.

As the match concluded, he was visibly emotional, crouching on the pitch in tears. Despite his magnificent six over extra cover in the final delivery, the defeat weighed heavily on him.

Amid RCB’s jubilant celebrations, Shashank’s sorrowful image stood as a stark contrast.

Punjab’s Collapse in a Crucial Chase

Punjab’s chase began with promise, thanks to a steady start from openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. But Arya’s dismissal, caught by Phil Salt on the boundary, turned the tide.

Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer fell within two overs, and Josh Inglis’s dismissal soon after by Krunal Pandya deepened the crisis.

Shashank arrived at the crease in the 13th over and kept Punjab’s hopes alive. However, with Nehal Wadhera struggling to rotate the strike, momentum was lost.

Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis both fell in the same over to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, pushing RCB firmly into the driver’s seat. Despite Shashank hammering a couple of big sixes off Hazlewood in the bowler’s second-last over, the task became too steep.

Final Overs Seal the Outcome

RCB’s Yash Dayal bowled a tight 18th over, conceding just five runs, denying Shashank the strike and pushing the match further out of Punjab’s reach.

The final over required 29 runs, and though Shashank blasted 22 off the last four balls, it wasn’t enough to reverse the outcome.