In the heart of Patiala, every match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 unfolds a poignant story of grit and emotion for the Singh family. On a recent Sunday evening, their modest home transformed into a sanctuary of hope as young Prabhsimran Singh, the dynamic opener for Punjab Kings (PBKS), unleashed a fiery 91-run knock against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). This victory, by a convincing 37-run margin, propelled PBKS to the second spot on the IPL points table, edging them closer to a coveted playoff berth.
Yet, amidst the roar of victory, a silent battle rages on at home. Prabhsimran’s father, Sardar Surjit Singh, courageously endures dialysis thrice a week due to kidney failure. For Surjit, each boundary his son scores is a momentary escape from pain, a glimmer of joy in his challenging journey. His brother, Satwinderpal Singh, shared with us in an emotional conversation, ‘The only time he smiles these days is when Simmu bats. I carry him to the living room before every PBKS match. When Simmu hits a big shot, Surjit forgets his pain and laughs. But a rash shot, and he’ll shout, “khotte aaram naal khel” (play sensibly)!’
Prabhsimran’s journey this season has been nothing short of inspirational. With 437 runs in 11 innings at a blistering strike rate of 170, the 23-year-old has emerged as a cornerstone for PBKS. His recent form, including three consecutive half-centuries, places him in the elite company of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle in the franchise’s history. Reflecting on his approach, Prabhsimran told broadcasters, ‘I’m playing the ball on its merit. After scoring 30-35, I aim to convert it into a big score. I’m grateful to the management for their backing.’
Before the season, Prabhsimran made a heartfelt promise to his father, uncle, teammate Anmolpreet Singh, and coach Ricky Ponting — to score two centuries. Though he fell agonizingly short of a ton against LSG, his whirlwind 91 has been a breath of fresh air for PBKS, a team that retained faith in him over six seasons. Ponting, visibly impressed, remarked post-match in Dharamsala, ‘I challenged Prabh to get a 100 tonight. He fell just short, but you’re seeing why I was keen to retain him. He’s a phenomenal young talent, hungry for success.’
Beyond the IPL points and personal milestones, Prabhsimran’s performances are a lifeline for his family. Satwinderpal, who has coached Prabhsimran alongside his own sons, poignantly noted, ‘Every run Simmu scores feels like it adds a few more days to Surjit’s life. I pray he helps PBKS win the IPL trophy — it would be the ultimate gift for his father.’ On a Monday morning video call, Surjit playfully chided his son for throwing away his wicket so close to a century, a moment of tough love that left Satwinderpal intervening with praise for the young star.
As PBKS eyes their first playoff appearance in a decade, Prabhsimran Singh is not just batting for personal glory or team success. Each stroke is a tribute to his father’s unrelenting spirit, a reminder that cricket, at its core, is about passion, family, and the small victories that mean the world. For the Singh household, the IPL isn’t just a tournament — it’s a heartbeat, echoing with every run their Simmu scores.