PBKS star Shashank Singh quits Chhattisgarh over shocking reason, set to join Pondicherry for 2026-27

Punjab Kings star Shashank Singh has officially left Chhattisgarh and will represent Pondicherry in the 2026-27 domestic cricket season. The 34-year-old batter confirmed that he has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS), completing his move ahead of the new season.

Shashank alleged that the CSCS failed to support him during an injury-hit period and later sidelined him without giving any proper explanation. He claimed that despite representing the state with commitment, he did not receive the backing he expected from the association during a difficult phase of his career.

The experienced batter now hopes to begin a fresh chapter with Pondicherry in domestic cricket. His move is one of the biggest transfers ahead of the 2026-27 season, and fans will be eager to see how he performs for his new team after leaving Chhattisgarh under controversial circumstances.

Why did Shashank Singh leave Chhattisgarh? The real reason explained

Shashank Singh said he decided to leave Chhattisgarh after feeling that he was not treated fairly by the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS). According to the all-rounder, he had recovered from his injuries but was still left out of the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League player list. He was also not included in the squad that travelled to Bengaluru for the team's pre-season training camp.

Speaking about the situation, Shashank rejected claims that he was only interested in playing in the IPL. He pointed out that the BCCI honoured him with the Lala Amarnath Award for being the Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs Competitions for the 2023-24 season. Shashank said this recognition reflected his commitment to domestic cricket and proved that he has always taken the format seriously.

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The 34-year-old was also in the headlines recently after an FIR was filed against him and his father, Shailesh Singh, over allegations of assault and verbal abuse involving their cook, Vipendra Singh. However, Shashank has denied all the allegations and said he has been cleared in the matter. He will now look to make a fresh start with Pondicherry in the 2026-27 domestic season.

What Shashank Singh said about CSCS not backing him through injury

Shashank Singh said he decided to leave Chhattisgarh after the state association failed to support him during an injury-hit season. Speaking to the Times of India, the Punjab Kings all-rounder confirmed that he had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) and will represent Pondicherry from the 2026-27 domestic season. He claimed that despite suffering serious shoulder and finger injuries, he did not receive the support he expected from the association.

Shashank also revealed that after recovering from his injuries, his name was missing from the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026 player list and the squad that travelled to Bengaluru for the pre-season training camp. He said he asked the association why he had been left out but did not receive any explanation. According to Shashank, this lack of communication played a major role in his decision to leave the team.

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The 34-year-old also dismissed claims that he was only interested in playing franchise cricket. He pointed out that the BCCI had honoured him with the Lala Amarnath Award as India's Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs Competitions for the 2023-24 season. Shashank was also one of Punjab Kings' standout performers in IPL 2025, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 153.51, including an unbeaten 61 in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

What this move to Pondicherry means for his 2026-27 domestic season

Shashank Singh's move to Pondicherry marks the beginning of a new chapter in his domestic career. The 34-year-old has been one of India's most consistent white-ball performers in recent seasons and will now aim to make a strong impact for his new team in the 2026-27 domestic season.

During the 2024-25 season, Shashank impressed with both bat and ball. He scored 450 runs and took 11 wickets in just seven Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. He also contributed 188 runs in seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, proving his value as a reliable all-rounder in white-ball cricket.

Ahead of the new season, Shashank has decided to take a break from red-ball cricket and focus entirely on the white-ball formats. The decision will also help him prepare for future IPL campaigns with Punjab Kings, where he remains an important member of the squad. He will now look to establish himself as a complete all-rounder capable of making valuable contributions with both bat and ball.