Shashank Singh Leaves Chhattisgarh for Puducherry Ahead of 2026-27 Domestic Season

August 3, 2026

Indian batter and all-rounder Shashank Singh has decided to end his association with Chhattisgarh and will represent Puducherry starting from the 2026-27 domestic cricket season. The 34-year-old cricketer confirmed that he has secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS), following disputes regarding his treatment during an injury-hit period.

What Happened

Shashank Singh’s departure comes after he expressed frustration over a lack of backing from the state board while recovering from injuries. The all-rounder revealed that he suffered serious shoulder and finger injuries last season, during which he received no support from the CSCS. He further alleged that he was sidelined without any official explanation from the association.

According to Shashank, his name was left off the player list for the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026. Additionally, he was excluded from the Chhattisgarh squad that traveled to Bengaluru for a pre-season training camp. Despite reaching out to the state association to seek clarification regarding his omission, he received no response.

In a statement given to the Times of India, Shashank confirmed his decision, stating: “Yes, I’m quitting Chhattisgarh. I’ve taken the NOC from CSCS and am moving to Pondicherry from the 2026-27 season. I suffered serious shoulder and finger injuries last season, but the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh didn’t support me at all in this phase.” He added that after asking why his name was missing from the league and squad lists, “There was no response.”

Key Highlights

Shashank Singh has officially obtained an NOC from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh to join Puducherry for the 2026-27 domestic season.
The 34-year-old cited a lack of support during his recovery from shoulder and finger injuries as the primary reason for his exit.
He was omitted from both the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026 list and the team’s pre-season camp in Bengaluru without any response to his inquiries.
Shashank has decided to take a break from red-ball cricket to focus strictly on white-ball formats in the upcoming domestic season.
In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shashank scored 450 runs and claimed 11 wickets across seven matches.
In the Indian Premier League, Shashank served as vice-captain for Punjab Kings under captain Shreyas Iyer during IPL 2026, scoring 132 runs in nine innings.

Why This Matters

Shashank Singh has been a key player in India’s domestic white-ball setup. His strong performance during the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he contributed 450 runs and took 11 wickets in seven matches, demonstrated his capabilities as a genuine all-rounder. Furthermore, his performances in the Indian Premier League have drawn significant attention, particularly during Punjab Kings’ campaign to the IPL 2025 final, where he scored 350 runs at a strike rate of 153.51 and hit 61 off 30 balls in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His decision to switch state teams and concentrate on white-ball cricket shifts his domestic focus entirely toward limited-overs formats while representing Puducherry.

What to Watch Next

Shashank Singh will prepare to represent Puducherry starting from the 2026-27 domestic season, where he will exclusively play limited-overs formats. Supporters will also track his future appearances in white-ball cricket and his role with the Punjab Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which team is Shashank Singh joining for the 2026-27 season?

Shashank Singh is moving to Puducherry for the 2026-27 domestic season after obtaining a No Objection Certificate from Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh.

Why did Shashank Singh decide to leave Chhattisgarh?

He left after alleging that the state association failed to support him during his recovery from shoulder and finger injuries, and sidelined him without explanation from the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League 2026 and a pre-season camp in Bengaluru.

What format of cricket will Shashank Singh focus on?

Shashank Singh has decided to take a break from red-ball cricket to focus exclusively on white-ball formats in the upcoming domestic season.

Source: Information in this article is based on reporting from CricTracker and statements made to the Times of India.