Imagine a two-hour car ride transforming a cricketer’s career. For Prabhsimran Singh, the dynamic opener of Punjab Kings, a casual ‘gedi’—a colloquial Punjabi term for a leisurely drive—with his elder brother Anmolpreet Singh became a pivotal moment. Earlier this year, as the IPL camp beckoned at the state-of-the-art Mullanpur Stadium, Anmolpreet offered to drop Prabhsimran off, turning an 80-kilometer journey from Patiala into a life-altering conversation.
During this drive, Anmolpreet, a seasoned cricketer himself at 27, didn’t hold back. ‘I gave him a reality check,’ he shared with TimesofIndia.com. ‘I spoke about my own missed opportunities and how I slipped in the pecking order. I told him at 24, this is his make-or-break season.’ Unlike the typical ‘gedi’ filled with blaring Punjabi beats, this ride resonated with raw, unfiltered advice. Anmolpreet set a clear target: ‘Score two centuries this IPL season if you want to play for India.’ He emphasized converting starts into big scores, warning that mere 20s and 30s wouldn’t cut it.
Fast forward to the IPL 2023 season, and Prabhsimran has responded with newfound grit. Breaking through earlier inconsistencies, he smashed back-to-back half-centuries for the first time in his IPL career. A standout performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, where he transformed a sluggish 34 off 32 balls into a blistering 83, including 22 runs off a single Sunil Narine over. He followed this with another impactful knock against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. With 346 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 165.55, including three fifties, Prabhsimran has finally found consistency in his sixth year with Punjab Kings.
Behind this transformation lies not just brotherly wisdom but also mentorship from Ricky Ponting, Punjab Kings’ head coach. Ponting, who once eyed Prabhsimran for Delhi Capitals, crafted a bespoke plan for the youngster. Emphasizing match simulations over routine net sessions, Ponting urged him to develop tailored strategies against bowlers. ‘Earlier, he’d swing blindly at anyone,’ Anmolpreet reflected. ‘Now, he plans—like smoking Narine for 22. It’s game awareness and maturity.’ Training at Patiala’s Cricket Hub Academy alongside Anmolpreet, under coach Kamal Sandhu, Prabhsimran honed his skills against spinners, a focus area flagged by Ponting.
Family has been a cornerstone in Prabhsimran’s journey. His uncle’s father, Sardar Satvinder Singh, a former Indian handball captain, has coached Prabhsimran and his cousins—Anmolpreet and Tejpreet—for over two decades. Their rigorous afternoon sessions, often stretching three hours, reflect a collective ambition. Anmolpreet also revealed Prabhsimran’s plea to Ponting to resume wicketkeeping duties this season. ‘He loves keeping,’ Anmolpreet said. ‘Last year, fielding in the outfield frustrated him. Keeping has boosted his batting confidence.’
Even legends have taken note of Prabhsimran’s talent. Back in IPL 2020, Sachin Tendulkar hailed his ‘free-flowing bat swing’ on X (formerly Twitter), marveling at the sound of ball on bat. Now, as Punjab Kings sit second on the points table after 10 games, chasing a playoff berth for the first time in a decade, Prabhsimran is inching closer to his brother’s century challenge. Though the coveted ton eludes him, his evolution from a cameo hitter to a mature batter signals a bright future.
From a candid ‘gedi’ to the IPL stage, Prabhsimran Singh’s journey embodies the power of tough love and strategic guidance. As Punjab Kings eye glory, this young opener’s story reminds us that sometimes, the road to success begins with a simple drive—and a brother’s unflinching belief.