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IPL 2024 PBKS vs GT: How Shashank, Ashutosh became Punjab's saving grace?
In the failure of the likes of Jitesh Sharma and Lima Livingstone as recognised finishers for Punjab, the two unheard names are now the heroes that the Kings and their fans look up to in every game
Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma IPL 2024 . Photo: Sportzpics
3 min read Last Updated : Apr 21 2024 | 3:31 PM IST
Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh, two players who were unknown ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, are now household names amongst the fans of the Punjab Kings. The Kings are struggling big-time this season, but these two lower-order, uncapped Indian batters have made the headlines in all of their last three home games. They are actually what you call a 'saving grace' for a franchise that has struggled to live up to the expectations.
Ashutosh- Shashank's contribution to Punjab's batting
While the entire Punjab batting order in the first seven matches of the side has put on 820 runs at an average of 20 and strike rate of 127, the duo of Sashank and Ashutish have put on 343 at an astounding average of 57 and threatening strike rate of 190.
Punjab Kings' uncapped players have faced the highest number of balls
Among the uncapped players of all the teams, it is those of the Punjab Kings that have faced the most number of balls in IPL 2024. The combination of Parabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, the three mainstays of Punjab batting among uncapped players, has played 293 balls and averaged 33 with a strike rate of 157.
Most Balls Faced Uncapped Indian Batters - IPL 2024
Team
Balls Faced
Average
Strike Rate
PBKS
293
33
167
RR
234
58
150
SRH
199
44
198
RCB
129
19
144
GT
117
15
116
LSG
112
23
125
DC
109
13
133
KKR
105
24
162
MI
31
18
177
CSK
7
7
200
Ashutosh and Shashank: Great strikers of the ball
Not only have the 25-year-old Ashutsh and 32-year-old Shashank scored big runs, but their biggest strength has been the rate at which they have scored those runs. While Ashutosh has struck at 205, equalling Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Dinesh Karthik as the player with the highest strike rate in IPL 2024, Shashank strikes at 180 to rank among the top 10 as well.
Highest Strike Rate in IPL 2024 (Min. 150 runs scored)
Player
Strike Rate
Dinesh Karthik
205
Ashutosh Sharma
205
Heinrich Klaasen
199
Travis Head
199
Abhishek Sharma
197
Tristan Stubbs
191
Sunil Narine
188
Shashank Singh
180
Ishan Kishan
173
In the failure of the likes of Jitesh Sharma and Lima Livingstone as recognised finishers for Punjab, the two unheard names are now the heroes that the Kings and their fans look up to in every game.
 "IPL 2024 PBKS vs GT: How Shashank, Ashutosh became Punjab's saving grace?")
