The young wicket-keeper studies closely. Not only the ball, but also the player who stands behind the wickets. For Prabhsimran Singh, that player has always been MS Dhoni, whose name is synonymous with coolness, agility, and perfection in today’s game. MS Dhoni, former captain of the Indian team and a World Cup champion, made his mark in cricket through quick reflexes and unfazed poise. That mark lives on in the upcoming generation. The emergence of Prabhsimran in the IPL proves this point.
With his prominence in the Punjab Kings organization increasing, so has his duties as a wicketkeeper. Now he studies the match, advises the bowlers, and assists his captain. However, regarding the way he wicketkeeps, his mentor is obvious.
Prabhsimran on being asked about his wicket-keeping inspiration disclosed, “I’m also keeping now… everyone knows Mahi bhai has got fast hands. I don’t copy anyone in batting, but I try and keep like Mahi bhai.”
Mentorship of Another World Cup Hero
Prabhsimran’s success is also due to another factor behind the scenes. Yuvraj Singh, who has won the World Cup as an all-rounder and is well-known for performing exceptionally well in high-pressure situations, contributes significantly to his development. There is a strong relationship between them; however, it is less structured. They train together whenever they can. They do not discuss only cricket-related issues. He gives tips about mental attitude, techniques, and decisions, particularly during the off-season.
On being asked about his mentorship, he said, “I don’t have a relationship with Yuvi paaji as a coach or a student. I have a relationship with him as an elder brother.”
On the other hand, the story of Prabhsimran himself demonstrates the need for patience. While he made his IPL debut back in 2019, chances for him were scarce initially. However, over the past couple of seasons, he has found himself to be a regular player for Punjab Kings. With 1,776 runs scored in 71 games, along with two hundreds, he has managed to establish himself as a player. Perhaps even more impressively, he has aligned himself with the fast-paced T20 cricket.
On the other hand, his responsibilities as a wicketkeeper have their part in his learning process. Being positioned behind the stumps means that he has the best possible position from which he can observe the entire match. He will be able to adjust the fielding positions and give advice to his team-mates.
Ultimately, one thing stands out from the experience of Prabhsimran. The first is Dhoni and his standard of cricket playing. Secondly, there is the experience gained from Yuvraj.
