Prabhsimran credits Yuvraj, Ponting for his improvement

Prabhsimran Singh was in the middle of the gym when he learned that he had been selected in the India squad for the three T20Is in Zimbabwe later this month.

When PTI When the 25-year-old from Patiala reached out to him, he could not express in words how important the national call was to him.

Recalling that moment, he said he cut the gym session short and rushed home to share his unbridled joy with his family.

The prolific Punjab Kings opener was hoping to get this special news, having scored more than 500 runs in the last two IPL seasons. His recent trip to India A in Sri Lanka also increased this hope.

Prabhsimran was included in India’s Asian Games in 2023 but could not play. The soft-spoken player knows that if he is to play in Harare he will have to take that into account considering the intense competition in the shortest format.

He was named as the second wicket-keeper batsman in the side after the surprise exclusions of Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.

“You feel good when something you have worked for all your life happens. The Asian Games experience was good then but I couldn’t play, so I can’t really talk about the nerves you usually feel when you make your debut for India,” Prabhsimran said. PTI in an interview.

“In my heart now, if I go there (to Zimbabwe), I don’t want to come back (without playing). I always thought I should represent the country, but I need to survive there too. That’s the only thing on my mind. If I get the chance, I will do my best not to leave the team.”

What stood out for Prabhsimran last year was his consistency. 20s and 30s are now often converted into major scores; a proof of this is his six fifty-plus scores in the last IPL. He and Priyansh Arya have become one of the most devastating opening pairs in the IPL.

For someone who plays age-group cricket alongside Punjab teammates Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, Prabhsimran need not look beyond them for extra motivation.

Abhishek and Prabhsimran have the same mentor in World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

“I didn’t have a session with Yuvi paaji after IPL, but I called him after the India selection. It was a long phone call. He shared his experience of playing at the highest level. He always tells me to be one step ahead of the bowler,” Prabhsimran said.

What about the contribution of the other great cricketer in his life, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting? “They both have different personalities but the same mentality. Ricky sir has a great contribution to my success. He was the one who called me and told me that I would stay in the team (in 2024). He said he would make me a better player and he did.

Duly acknowledging the immense role he played in the growth of the IPL and PBKS franchise, Prabhsimran said, “When you see the results, you want to keep learning from it. I am grateful to both Yuvi paaji and Ricky sir.”

“This was my eighth season in the franchise and I am happy to have been called up to India with them.” Not only has Prabhsimran become much more consistent in the high-stakes T20 format, he can also bat in different gears, relying on traditional stroke play.

Asked what he is doing to improve in the ever-changing T20 game, he said: “In today’s world you have to play high-risk cricket. It used to be difficult to chase 160-170. Now even if a team hits 220-240, it doesn’t feel safe. You have to play high-risk cricket and still be consistent. That’s what I focus on.”

“Also, when I have free time, I don’t go out much. It’s important to stay away from cricket, but I can only do that for a day or two. Even in training, I like to bat for long periods of time.

“If I play with 7-8 bowlers in the nets, I want each of them to bowl me at least 10 overs. If you want to stay relevant, you have to add something new every year.”