MUMBAI: Along with runs and wickets, a young cricketer proudly carries praise from a senior player in the dressing room — a modern-day legend they look up to. Mumbai and Punjab Kings allrounder Suryansh Shedge still remembers how elated he felt after Rohit Sharma complimented him for his explosive batting during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, when the former India captain joined Mumbai ahead of a Ranji Trophy match in the 2024–25 domestic season.
Rohit Sharma's Words of Encouragement
Batting at No 6, Shedge had produced quickfire cameos to star in Mumbai's SMAT win at Hyderabad, smashing a 15-ball 36 not out in the final against Madhya Pradesh, 36 not out off 12 balls against Baroda in the quarterfinal, and 30 off eight balls against Andhra in the last league match. Recalling the moment, Shedge said in an online media interaction on Saturday from Dharamshala, where Punjab Kings play their next three home games: "One thing about Rohit bhai is he's always positive. I remember when we had won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and he had come to play for us after that in a Ranji Trophy match. He told me, 'Are Shedge, kya batting keli re. Ki Sagle Baghat Hoto Tikde Ekatra (What terrific batting you did, we were all watching it!).'"
Shedge added: "I have spoken to Rohit bhai a lot, and have learnt a lot. When you're in the presence of greats, you can learn a lot of things even in a five-minute conversation, because you're a good listener there automatically. When someone who has played cricket for 15-20 years and has won tournaments for their country stands in front of you and speaks about cricket, you know that you have to be a good listener."
IPL 2025: From Struggles to Success
Shedge, bought by Punjab Kings for his base price of Rs 30 lakhs in the November 2024 auction, had a miserable time in IPL 2025 initially, managing just seven runs in five matches at an average of 2.33. This year, he was on the bench for the first eight matches before finally getting a chance. Capitalising on the opportunity, the Mumbaikar scored 3 not out, a valiant 57 off 29 balls against Gujarat Titans, and a brisk 25 off 17 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in his first three matches.
Shedge said becoming more instinctive at the crease rather than overthinking has helped improve his batting this IPL season. "One shift I made was being instinctive and not pre-meditative, even in practice, and that has helped me achieve better success," he explained.
Heart-to-Heart with Ricky Ponting
He also revealed a 'heart-to-heart' chat with PBKS head coach and former Australian great Ricky Ponting, during which Shedge admitted his frustration at not getting a game. Ponting motivated him to stay ready. "Our talks were always about how well I was batting in the nets and how I could get an opportunity at any time. I remember after the fourth or fifth game, after a net session, he took me aside and asked if I was frustrated. At first, I said 'No'. He said, 'Be honest.' So I told him 'Yes,' at night I did feel it sometimes. He said he understood and told me that 'four or five players from our franchise could walk into the playing XI of any other franchise.' He said that 'it is easy to get bogged down and start thinking negatively, but harder to stay in the present and keep focusing on preparation so that when the chance comes, you are switched on and ready.' That talk helped me a lot, and I was really honoured to have that conversation with him. It was a heart-to-heart. That is why I always say Ricky sir is one of the best coaches I have played under," Shedge said.
"With Ricky sir, it has always been about preparation, preparation, preparation. He keeps reminding us that this is what brought success in the first phase of this IPL and in last year's IPL. He also says that whatever happens, you have to back yourself, be courageous and know that you belong. In the end, when it all comes down to facing the ball, it helps," he added.
Comfort with Captain Shreyas Iyer
There is a comfort factor that the young allrounder enjoys with his PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, who is also his skipper in the Mumbai T20 side. "Shreyas Bhai and I talk a lot about cricket. Sometimes he asks me about his batting, sometimes I ask him about mine. Constructive criticism is necessary, and only a healthy team environment can provide that," Shedge said.
Sharing how a chat with Iyer during a pre-season intra-squad warm-up match had a positive impact, Shedge said, "I remember an internal practice game before the IPL started. I was batting well and was on 65 or 70 not out, while Shreyas Bhai was in the fielding side and Arshdeep (Singh) bhai was bowling. I hit two boundaries off the first two balls. Then he bowled all the yorkers. I tried to play a scoop and ended up at the non-striker's end, wondering what went wrong. Shreyas bhai was at covers, and I asked him if I had moved early. He told me, 'You're batting well, don't overthink.' That really stayed with me before the season started. That is how you are ready when you actually go out to bat in the middle. If I had started thinking about things that are not in my control, or if I had let negative thoughts enter my head, I would not have been able to perform in that situation. He always keeps me on my toes, and we talk a lot about cricket — technique, attitude, and what both of us can do better. That is how we keep the environment positive."
Training and Praise from Jatin Paranjape
In Mumbai, Shedge trains under former India player and selector Jatin Paranjape at the Vasu Paranjape Cricket Centre. "Suryansh is the next big thing in the making (in Mumbai and Indian cricket). I'm proud of this kid," Paranjape told TOI.
On Punjab Kings' Fielding Blunders
Quizzed about the Punjab Kings' multiple fielding blunders in IPL 2026 so far, Shedge said, "It's not just us that are doing blunders. That can happen to any franchise and that has happened in the past. So I don't think we should be paying attention to that. Because when we were winning games and we were grabbing all the chances, we were the same players, right? We were the same team. So that tells you that it's a temporary thing and we'll get out of it."
