‘My respect for her raised that day’ – Shasank Singh recalls Preity Zinta’s support during IPL 2025 Suspension [Exclusive]

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Vice-captain Shasank Singh Opened about his interactions with franchise co-owner Preity Zinta and how she stood with the team during challenging moments. He remembered how she personally took care of all players during the Dharamsala collision against Delhi Capitals (DC), who was stopped halfway because of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

Shasank also spoke about his memorable exchange with co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who described the unique band he shared with both owners in the course of the tournament. He admitted that he felt impressed as he conversed with the Bollywood -Superster and with great pleasure how Shah Rukh appealed to him during their interaction.

Excerpts from the interview

Is there an unheard of story with PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta that fans would like to keep?

Preity Mrs. is very chilly. I didn’t think she was so chilly. Because watching, we are all children from the 90s. We have seen her films and she is a celebrity for us. So when I meet her, I am a player for her. I am a vice-captain and captain in a game. I feel good if she gives me that responsibility and respect. She has always been a star for me. So when I talk to her, I get a bit impressed.

When we first met at the auction, she predicted and said: ‘Shasank, you will be the star of the year. You will be the star of our team ‘. And I think I immediately proved her. And we have many other stories. Talk to her about Bollywood … [which] Is such a large industry in our country …

Her children are very cute. We sat for breakfast and they asked her my name. Mrs. said, “Shasank, they ask your name.” I said: “call me Rockstar.” I still remember, when I used to meet them in the swimming pool, the gym or at the competition, they always called me as ‘Rockstar’. I still remember, after Ipl. Mrs asked me: “Ask my children, where is Rockstar?” I was so happy that her children know me as Rockstar.

My respect for her [increased] After the Dharamsala competition. It was a very tense game because of the war in India-Pakistan, we had to come back. It was tense, although we were at a distance from the border, we were in a panic. Everything was new to us. Piey Madam came to our hotel. She arranged the bus, taxis, training and eating for us. We have reached Delhi safely.

Just think of the status of a celebrity like them. From grounding work to managing everything, it was so difficult for her. But she made sure that everyone – not only the cricketers, our family, the support staff, the media, the logistics team – reached everyone safely at home. Until I reached Bhopal, she was worried. That day my respect for her increased. She is a nice lady, and she jokes a lot. But that was something that everyone couldn’t do.

What was the dressing room environment after that competition was suspended?

It was panic. I won’t lie, it was panic. We didn’t know what happened. When we used to go to the competition, we left our phones. There was a rule that telephones are not allowed. We didn’t know why the lights were eliminated. We thought it was a technical error. Before the game we were not sure whether the competition was or not. But the credit goes to the IPL officials that they let us play the game. It was a big thing to play the game in such a difficult situation. It was a big thing to keep the safety of the fans.

But again, when we came in, it was a tense moment. We didn’t understand what happened. It never happened. So we were a bit tense. But when both teams reached their hotels, our security officers told us that it was not necessary to panic. Whatever happened, it happened very far [away].

It was difficult for players from Delhi and Punjab to safely go to Delhi because you have to leave the next morning. There is a lot of logistics [issues[. It is difficult to carry all the luggage and take it there. So, it was a difficult job. But, it was a great job done by the [IPL].

When there is a match between PBKS & KKR, there is a spring-zaara trend. Have you had a conversation with Preity Zinta about his coordination with Shah Rukh Khan?

I always ask preity madam, what is the Shah Rukh sir. We talk about many things. There was a time when Punjab and Kolkata went to the final and KKR won the title, but there is no rivalry between the owners. There is a healthy competition. You want to win every game. When Shah Rukh comes to see Mr. to watch the game, I want to meet him. He is a global celebrity. I think my achievements are quite against KKR, I like to play against them.

I had half an hour of interaction with Shah Rukh Sir last year. We had a very good pursuit of 262 points, I had played a good knock. I wanted a photo with Shah Rukh sir … Through the grace of God, when I went in the evening, Mr. was with his players. When I reached it, Shreyas told him. Shah Rukh Sir said: “Shasank, you played well.” I was happy that Shah Rukh knows my name.

I felt good that Shah Rukh Khan, [whom I have been] Looking since childhood it is asking how I am. The way he spoke to me, he also had a little knowledge about me, because I played well in that game … He even told me that if you ever come to Bombay, there is a ‘small house’ ‘Mannat’, there will be there. I told him that sir, it’s not a small house!. He called me in the evening, that brother, if you ever come, tell me. Maybe Mr. Due Don’t remember, but as much as I have heard, his memory is very sharp. But it was a big thing for me – to have an interaction with him for half an hour, about cricket, about life – I enjoyed it a lot.

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