PBKS All-Rounder Shedge Opens Up on Dhoni's Guidance for Finisher Duties
In a candid revelation ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has shared insights from his conversations with cricket legend MS Dhoni regarding the demanding role of a finisher. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, the 23-year-old Mumbai cricketer highlighted how Dhoni emphasized that failure is a common part of this high-pressure position and advised against overthinking.
Navigating Sidelines and Seeking Redemption
Shedge, who has spent significant time on the sidelines for both PBKS and Mumbai, reflected on his limited opportunities last season. In the IPL, he batted in just three innings, scoring a mere seven runs with a best of 5. Similarly, in domestic cricket, he managed 35 runs in two Ranji Trophy innings, 16 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance, and 60 runs across four Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) matches, with a top score of 28.
Despite these challenges, Shedge remains optimistic, noting that in a competitive setup like Mumbai, "everyone is fighting for a spot." He stressed that while playing time is beyond his control, his focus is on continuous improvement and readiness for when chances arise. "The only thing in my hands is to keep improving my game and always keep myself prepared, because sooner or later, the opportunity will arrive," he added.
Rise to Prominence and Dhoni's Wisdom
Shedge first gained attention during Mumbai's 2024-25 SMAT triumph, where he excelled as a finisher and pace bowler. He scored 131 runs in nine innings at a strike rate exceeding 251 and took nine wickets. His standout performance came in the final, where he smashed an unbeaten 36 off 15 balls, hitting three fours and sixes each, and claimed a wicket to earn the Player of the Match award, helping Mumbai chase down 176 runs with 13 balls to spare.
However, since that peak, he has faced more failures than successes in the finisher role. During IPL 2025, he sought advice from Dhoni, the iconic captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). "I had a conversation along these very lines with Mahi sir [MS Dhoni] as well," Shedge revealed. "He also said that a finisher's role is quite crucial in this format, yet opportunities to play it are few and far between. And the outcome does not go in one's favour most of the time."
Dhoni's counsel centered on staying present and avoiding overanalysis. Shedge elaborated, "My philosophy is to stay in the present and approach the game one ball at a time. All the senior players say that the scoreboard itself dictates what approach to take. Giving yourself time and staying in the present is crucial. If you start overthinking, you would not be able to anticipate the bowler's plan, and you are bound to make mistakes."
Embracing the T20 Challenge and PBKS Leadership
Shedge views the T20 format as a "massive contest" despite its short duration, emphasizing the importance of winning each delivery. "You can comfortably take your time and settle in. Cricket is a battle fought ball by ball. Every delivery marks a fresh start. If you win the battle on each individual ball, your task becomes easier, and you put the opposition under pressure," he explained.
With PBKS, he is playing under the leadership of Mumbai teammate Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. Shedge expressed enthusiasm about this setup, calling Ponting's presence a "blessing." "Shreyas bhai has played in a wide variety of situations. Strategically, there is a great deal to learn from him. On the other hand, playing under Ricky sir's coaching is nothing short of a blessing for me. During practice sessions, he is the one who exudes the most energy. In fact, even if you are feeling unwell, you take the field with the same energy," he concluded.
As PBKS prepares to kick off their IPL campaign on March 31 against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh, following last year's heartbreaking loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, Shedge's insights and Dhoni's guidance could play a pivotal role in their quest for redemption.
