IPL 2026 | 'Are Shedge, kya batting keli re': Punjab Kings' Suryansh Shedge reveals special chat with Rohit Sharma

MUMBAI: Along with runs and wickets against his name, what a young cricketer proudly carries in his or her kitbag is praise from a senior player in the dressing room - a modern-day legend whom they look up to. Mumbai and Punjab Kings allrounder Suryansh Shedge still remembers how elated he felt after Rohit Sharma complimented him for his explosive batting during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, when the former India captain joined Mumbai ahead of a Ranji Trophy match in the 2024–25 domestic season. Batting at No 6, Shedge had churned out a few quickfire cameos to star in Mumbai's SMAT win at Hyderabad, smashing a 15-ball 36 not out in the final against Madhya Pradesh, 36 not out of just 12 balls against Baroda in the quarterfinal, and 30 off just eight balls against Andhra in the last league match.

"One thing about Rohit bhai is he's always positive. I remember when we (Mumbai) had won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and he had come to play for us after that in a Ranji Trophy match. He told me, 'Are Shedge, kya batting keli re.

Ki Sagle Baghat Hoto Tikde Ekatra (What terrific batting you did, we were all watching it! ),'" recalled Shedge in an online media interaction on Saturday from Dharamshala, where Punjab Kings play their next three home games, starting from Monday. "I have spoken to Rohit bhai a lot, and have learnt a lot.

When you're in the presence of greats, you can learn a lot of things even in a five-minute conversation, because you're a good listener there automatically. When someone who has played cricket for 15-20 years and has won tournaments for their country stands in front of you and speaks about cricket, you know that you have to be a good listener," the 23-year-old said. Shedge, who was bought by Punjab Kings for his base price of Rs 30 lakhs in the auction in Nov 2024, had miserable time in IPL-2025, managing to score just seven runs in five matches@2.