Shashank Singh and Ricky Ponting [Source: X and screengrab]Shashank Singh made his return to the Punjab Kings playing XI this IPL 2026 season for the match against the SRH. Not long after taking field at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in match number 49 of the tournament, the cricketer dropped an absolute dolly to reprieve Heinrich Klaasen. Incidentally, this was not the first instance of Shashank dropping a crucial catch this season which went on to haunt his side later. Many fans and cricket experts also believed that it was his fielding struggles that led to his ouster from the team’s playing XI for the games against the Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. Assessing Shashank’s fielding blunders, Punjab Kings head coach and fielding resolute Ricky Ponting recently made a hilarious remark on the batter’s butter-fingered efforts in the field. Shashank Singh as a “virus”, says Ricky Ponting While speaking with the commentators between overs during match 49 of the IPL 2026 season, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting made fun of Shashank Singh’s repeated fielding errors off late. Also Read- Ricky Ponting Issues Official Statement On Shashank Singh's Catch Drops! Warning GivenPonting jokingly stated that the ball seems to be flying towards Shashank, who looks to be carrying a “virus”. The former Australian captain said “Poor Shashank Singh, it seems the ball is flying everywhere he’s going. It has been a bit of a virus.” Shashank not the lone culprit for Punjab Kings against SRH Much to Shashank Singh’s relief, he was far from the lone offender for the Punjab Kings franchise against the SRH in match 49 of the IPL 2026 season in Hyderabad on Wednesday, May 6. In the eighth over of the SRH innings, Cooper Connolly dropped newly-arrived Ishan Kishan off Lockie Ferguson at deep square. The following over, Shashank gave a timely reprieve to Heinrich Klaasen. A couple of overs later, Ferguson dropped Kishan at fine leg, before the blistering left-hander went on to smear an explosive 55. Shashank’s season of fielding woes Prior to Shashank Singh’s exclusion from the Punjab Kings playing XI last week, the cricketer found himself under mounting scrutiny for a string of costly lapses in the field. Also Read- MCC Names New President As The Hundred Influence Grows Bigger On England CricketAt one stage of PBKS’ away match against the Delhi Capitals last month, the cricketer dropped home opener KL Rahul at 12*, who in turn, went on to whack a record-breaking 152 off just 67 balls in the game. SRH off to a flier after losing toss Blessed with Punjab Kings’ fielding errors on batting-friendly home conditions, the SRH franchise got off to a flier after being invited to bat first. The ‘Orange Army’ raced to 79-1 at the end of the powerplay, with opener Abhishek Sharma blasting 35 off just 13 balls. Travis Head also clattered three boundaries and three sixes in his 19-ball 38. Ishan Kishan at number three made 55 off 32 balls as the hosts motored towards the 200-run mark in the slog overs territory. Follow SRH vs PBKS Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
