Shashank Singh to leave Chhattisgarh, join Pondicherry as guest player for 2026-27

Shashank Singh has ended his association with Chhattisgarh and is set to join Pondicherry as a guest player starting in 2026 for the 2026-27 season. He said injuries and a lack of inclusion in team selections, and feeling unsupported by the state association, prompted the move.

Reported on August 2, 2026, Singh’s decision follows a period in which he struggled with fitness and opportunities at the state level. He has made clear his intention to concentrate on white-ball cricket and to bowl his full quota when selected. Singh is a former recipient of the Lala Amarnath Award for best all-rounder. The transfer to Pondicherry will take effect in 2026 and cover the 2026-27 domestic season.

Singh described a sense of insufficient backing from the Chhattisgarh state association as a key factor in his departure. He also pointed to recurring injuries that hampered his availability and, in his view, reduced his chances of regular selection. Those combined issues convinced him to seek a fresh start elsewhere, where he hopes to regain continuity in his playing schedule.

The move to Pondicherry comes with the status of a guest player, a role that allows him to represent the Union Territory without altering his long-term registration elsewhere. Singh emphasised that the change is motivated by a tactical shift in his career priorities, with shorter-format cricket the immediate focus. He stressed the importance of being able to bowl his allotted overs and contribute consistently in limited-overs formats.

While details beyond the initial announcement were not provided, the switch signals a clear intent from Singh to revive his professional trajectory after a spell of frustration at the state level. Joining Pondicherry offers him a new environment and the prospect of more dependable selection in the white-ball squads. The arrangement aligns with his stated aim of returning to form and maintaining match fitness.

Singh’s departure closes his chapter with Chhattisgarh and opens one with Pondicherry as the 2026-27 season approaches. The cricketer will be watched for how quickly he can convert this fresh opportunity into regular appearances and full bowling quotas in white-ball competitions.