Following an agonising six-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) final, Punjab Kings (PBKS) star Shashank Singh remains undeterred. The middle-order batter expressed immense pride in the team's recent performance, viewing the narrow loss not as a failure, but as a stepping stone toward future success.
PBKS will lift the Cup on May 31: Shashank Singh
Looking ahead to the new campaign, Shashank voiced strong confidence in his squad's ability to replicate their deep run. He firmly believes that the Punjab Kings possess the talent and momentum necessary to return to the final this year and finally lift the the coveted IPL trophy.
“I know that on May 31st, we will be playing at the Chinnaswamy and lifting the cup. It’s not just a feeling, I know this. This will happen. It’s the self belief and team belief. Everyone is on the same page. There is confidence in everyone,” Shashank said on ‘JioStar Press Room’.
“We will take it match by match because ultimate aim is to get a trophy. If we keep thinking we reached the final last year, there will be a lot of pressure on us. So our immediate aim is to prepare for our first game against GT, then against CSK and KKR,” he added. “To play the final and win is the ultimate goal. But we have to focus on every match, rectify our mistakes that will be easier. We are very motivated and excited that we are the same group. We are better prepared than last year,” Shashank added.
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PBKS enjoyed a standout campaign during the IPL 2025 season. Their consistency throughout the tournament earned them the top spot on the points table, fueling a powerful surge of momentum as they headed into the high-stakes environment of the Playoffs. Although they successfully navigated their way to the grand finale, the Kings’ pursuit of a maiden title ended in heartbreak. In a nail-biting showdown against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, they fell just six runs short of their goal. Despite the narrow defeat, the season was widely viewed as a breakthrough for a franchise that had spent years searching for a winning formula.
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Looking toward the 2026 season, Punjab aim to transform last year’s disappointment into a catalyst for success. With Shreyas Iyer continuing at the helm and a largely retained core of players, the team is focused on maintaining their competitive edge. The upcoming campaign represents a clear opportunity for the squad to build on their recent progress and finally secure the elusive championship trophy.
Here's PBKS' full schedule for IPL 2026:
Mar 31 – vs GT – 7:30 PM – New Chandigarh
Apr 3 – vs CSK – 7:30 PM – Chennai
Apr 6 – vs KKR – 7:30 PM – Kolkata
Apr 11 – vs SRH – 3:30 PM – New Chandigarh
Apr 16 – vs MI – 7:30 PM – Mumbai
Apr 19 – vs LSG – 7:30 PM – New Chandigarh
Apr 25 – vs DC – 3:30 PM – Delhi
Apr 28 – vs RR – 7:30 PM – New Chandigarh
May 3 – vs GT – 7:30 PM – Ahmedabad
May 6 – vs SRH – 7:30 PM – Hyderabad
May 11 – vs DC – 7:30 PM – Dharamsala
May 14 – vs MI – 7:30 PM – Dharamsala
May 17 – vs RCB – 3:30 PM – Dharamsala
May 23 – vs LSG – 7:30 PM – Lucknow