Preity Zinta Breaks Silence On Shashank Singh Auction 'Controversy'

Shashank Singh - whose IPL 2024 auction selection by the Punjab Kings made a lot of noise - came to the franchise's need when the situation demanded and took his team to a memorable win against Gujarat Titans on Thursday. Chasing 200 vs Gujarat Titans, Shashank Singh top-scored for his team after the PBKS top-order had faltered. He reached the fifty-run mark in just 25 balls and stayed unbeaten till the end to see his side through. 

However, Shashank Singh' auction selection lead to a lot of controversy. At the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, Punjab Kings co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia looked confused after they won the bid for uncapped Indian Shashank Singh. It appeared that the IPL franchise did not intend to buy the player, but then the gavel had already fallen. IPL 2024 auctioneer Mallika Sagar also looked a little surprised as the PBKS management was seen going through the players auction list. However, PBKS decided to go ahead with the buy and even welcomed Shashank Singh to their team through a post on X.

Now Preity ZInta has opened up on the controversy.   

"Today seems like the perfect day to finally talk about things that were said in the past about us at the auction. A lot of people in similar situations would have lost confidence, buckled under pressure or become de-motivated ……. but not Shashank !" Preity Zinta wrote in a post on her social media accounts. 

"He is not like a lot of people. He is truly special. Not just because of his skill as a player but because of his positive attitude & incredible spirit. He took all the comments, jokes and brick bats so sportingly & never became a victim.

Today seems like the perfect day to finally talk about things that were said in the past about us at the auction. A lot of people in similar situations would have lost confidence, buckled under pressure or become de-motivated ....... but not Shashank ! He is not like a lot of... pic.twitter.com/OAPfLFKwxq — Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) April 5, 2024

"He backed himself and showed us what he is made of, and for that I applaud him He has my admiration & my respect. I hope he can be an example to all of you when life takes a different turn & does not play according to script, for it's not what people think of you that matters, but what You think of Yourself ! So never stop believing in yourself like Shashank & I'm sure you will be Man of the match in the game of life #Respect #Manofthematch #TrueGrit #TataIPL #GTvsPBKS #Saddapunjab #PunjabKings #PBKS #ting"