Shashank Singh left red-faced after another dropped catch against SRH: ‘It has been a bit of a virus’

Ouch. Sometimes cricket hurts, and for Punjab Kings, that pain is becoming all too familiar. Another dropped catch, this time from Shashank Singh against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2026 clash, and you can almost hear the collective groan from the Kings' faithful.

It happened in the crucial 12th over. Sunrisers Hyderabad were starting to accelerate, and a sharp chance went to Shashank at backward point. It wasn't a sitter, granted, but the kind of opportunity you expect a professional fielder to gobble up. Instead, it burst through his hands. The batsman, who was on 38 at the time, went on to score a match-defining 65. Cricket, as they say, is a game of inches…and catches.

Shashank Singh, who has been a revelation with the bat this IPL 2026 season, looked visibly distraught. And rightly so. He knows that these moments can swing matches. The cameras zoomed in on a frustrated Punjab Kings coach, and you knew exactly what he was thinking. This wasn't just one error; it felt symptomatic of a larger problem.

"It has been a bit of a virus," Shashank admitted after the game. And he's not wrong. Punjab Kings' catching form this season has been…well, let’s just say it hasn't been pretty. They've grassed more chances than any other team in the tournament. You can have the best bowlers and the most explosive batsmen, but if you can't hold onto your catches, you're always going to struggle.

Here's the thing: dropped catches aren't just about the missed opportunity to take a wicket. They deflate the team, give the batsman a second life (and often momentum), and can completely alter the course of an innings. Think about it – that dropped catch could have meant a different score, a different run chase, and potentially a different result for Punjab Kings.

What's fascinating is that Shashank Singh is generally a reliable fielder. He's got a safe pair of hands, good reflexes, and a strong throwing arm. So, what's going wrong? Is it pressure? Is it fatigue? Is it simply a lack of concentration at crucial moments? Perhaps a combination of all three. Whatever the reason, the Punjab Kings need to address this issue urgently if they want to make a serious push for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

Let's be honest, fielding is often the forgotten aspect of cricket. Everyone focuses on the big hits and the fiery spells, but the unsung heroes are the ones who consistently take those tough catches, who save crucial runs in the field. Think of a Jonty Rhodes diving, or an ABD making the impossible look easy. These moments change games. Punjab Kings need to find that spark in their fielding unit. Maybe some extra sessions with a fielding coach are in order. Perhaps a change in mindset.

The numbers tell a story, and the story for Punjab Kings is one of missed opportunities. They can't afford to keep gifting chances to the opposition. They need to tighten up their fielding, starting with Shashank Singh, who, despite this blip, remains a key player for them.

Looking ahead, Punjab Kings face a tough run of matches. They need to find some consistency, both with the bat and in the field. All eyes will be on their catching performance in the next game. Can they shake off this "virus" and start holding onto those crucial chances? Their IPL 2026 fate may well depend on it.