NEW DELHI – From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the grand stage of the IPL, Suryansh Shedge’s cricketing journey is the stuff of dreams. The young all-rounder, who honed his skills under the mentorship of Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane, has joined Punjab Kings for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction. Now, Shedge sets his sights on a momentous encounter with his idol, Virat Kohli.
Shedge first turned heads in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where his explosive performances became the talk of the tournament. As a crucial part of Mumbai’s victorious campaign, he amassed 131 runs in nine matches at an astonishing strike rate of 251.92, including 13 sixes. His all-round prowess was on full display as he also scalped eight wickets.
One of the tournament’s most memorable moments was Shedge’s stellar quarter-final performance against Vidarbha. Walking in at No. 6, he unleashed an unbeaten 36 from just 12 deliveries, including four sixes and one four, propelling Mumbai into the semi-finals. Shedge’s heroics continued in the final, where his match-winning 36 off 15 balls secured the title and earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
Despite not getting a chance to bat in his IPL debut against Gujarat Titans, the 22-year-old remains focused on his dream of meeting and playing alongside Virat when Punjab Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 18 and 20.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Shedge opened up about his journey, his experiences under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, and the unforgettable moment when Suryakumar Yadav bowed to him. ‘Having played under Shreyas, the environment he creates, and his focus on team success over personal milestones, has been a masterclass in leadership for me. The team-first mentality resonates with how I approach the game,’ Shedge remarked.
Shedge’s batting style, while influenced by the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer, remains uniquely his own. ‘I’ve learned from everyone around me, but my style is my own,’ he asserts. His admiration for players like Virat, Ben Stokes, and Shreyas reflects in his drive to learn and grow.
As he prepares for the clash against RCB, Shedge is eager to pick Virat’s brain on consistency, preparation, and the art of constructing an innings. ‘Sharing the field with him will be surreal,’ he says, barely containing his excitement.
The influence of seasoned Mumbai players and senior figures in domestic cricket has been pivotal in Shedge’s development. The mental toughness needed at the elite level, learned from these interactions, gives him an edge when facing high-pressure situations.
Guiding him through his career has been Abhishek Nair, now part of the Indian team’s coaching staff, whose mentorship has been invaluable in bridging the gap from junior to senior cricket. ‘Working closely with someone who understands the craft at this level has been a blessing,’ Shedge acknowledges.