IPL 2026: Ricky Ponting tries to playfully slaps Shashank Singh after dropped catches vs LSG

Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting wore his emotions on his sleeve during their clash against the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2026. The former Australian captain was visibly frustrated in the dugout as his side struggled in the field, particularly due to multiple dropped chances.

After the match, however, the mood shifted to something lighter. As the PBKS players lined up for the customary handshakes, captain Shreyas Iyer playfully tried to hide Shashank Singh’s face with his cap while approaching Ponting, acknowledging the fielder’s tough outing in a humorous way. What followed reflected Ponting’s leadership style, rather than showing anger, he jokingly pretended to slap Shashank before breaking into a smile and embracing him, offering reassurance and support.

Singh had a difficult time on the field, dropping multiple chances that proved costly. His first major error came when Nicholas Pooran miscued a shot, only for the catch to be put down in the deep. The missed opportunity allowed Pooran to continue, potentially shifting momentum. Shashank later misjudged a shot from Aiden Markram near the boundary, resulting in the ball sailing over for a six instead of being safely collected. Adding to PBKS’s woes, another chance, this time off Mukul Choudhary, was also dropped.