New Delhi, June 24: Sunyash Shedge has been selected for the Indian T20 team for the first time following Nitish Kumar Reddy’s exclusion from the squad for the Ireland and England tour. Former cricketer and national selector Jatin Paranjpe believes that Shedge’s international career has the potential to be long-lasting.
Paranjpe stated that Shedge possesses both the skills and mental strength necessary to play at the international level for the next decade. In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, he remarked, “He is a natural T20 player, and this experience will be beneficial for him. He will realize that international cricket comes with more pressure and pace compared to the IPL. It may take him three to four matches to adapt to this environment. However, I am confident that he has the ability and mental fortitude to play for India for the next 10 years.”
Shedge is known for his aggressive batting and medium-pace bowling. His recent outstanding performances earned him a spot on the Indian team. In IPL 2026, he scored 158 runs at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 175.55 over seven innings for Punjab Kings. He also made significant contributions in the India A’s 50-over triangular series victory in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, scoring 147 runs at a strike rate of 120.49 and bowling 23 overs.
Jatin Paranjpe, who has been training Shedge at the Vasu Paranjpe Cricket Centre in Mumbai for the past two years, believes there couldn’t be a better time or opportunity for Shedge’s debut in the Indian team.
“I am obviously very happy for him. The tour to Ireland and England is perfectly suited for an all-rounder like Sunyash. The conditions there will offer some movement in the air and off the pitch. From a batting perspective, I believe he will enjoy these conditions. When a player starts their international career, it is crucial that several factors are in their favor, including the venue of their debut. I am quite excited about this,” he said.
Discussing his work with Shedge over the past two years, Paranjpe emphasized enhancing the player’s game rather than completely changing it. He noted that they worked on some technical aspects of both batting and bowling, with the main goal being to improve the player further.
Shedge had already been performing exceptionally well for Mumbai. Paranjpe mentioned that Shedge played a crucial role in winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy during the 2024-25 season.
“He is clearly a very capable player, and you just need to give him a little mental comfort and assure him that you believe in him as much as he believes in himself. Much of the work has revolved around discussing the matches, trying to get him there, and understanding how he thinks,” Paranjpe explained.
He also shared his own cricketing experiences with Shedge, which he felt resonated well with the player, contributing to his good IPL performance. Paranjpe noted that Shedge’s series with India A in Sri Lanka also went well, indicating that many exciting opportunities and challenges lie ahead for him.
“The simpler you keep the game, the better it will be. All the great players in the world keep things simple. We discussed how his self-talk should be while facing each ball and how to maintain that simplicity consistently. We worked on many such small details,” he added.
Paranjpe mentioned that they also focused on some technical aspects, like making the flow of his bat more natural. He believes this is just the beginning of Shedge’s career and hopes to understand him better as a cricketer and as a person, continuing to support him in the future. Shreyas Iyer is leading the T20 team, while Shubman Gill is at the helm of the ODI team.
Paranjpe assured that whenever Shedge gets the opportunity, he will be well taken care of. “Not just Shreyas, but don’t forget that Shubman is also a young captain. I have observed Shubman closely. He has a lot of empathy as a captain. If Sunyash makes it to the playing eleven, I believe Shubman will guide him very well, as he understands the nerves, stress, and excitement of early matches,” he stated.
When asked if Shedge might get a chance in the ODI team during the upcoming England tour, Paranjpe expressed hope. He mentioned that given the current circumstances, selectors might include him in the team, but the final decision rests with them.
Paranjpe also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Shedge’s parents, Prashant and Priyadarshini, who left their banking jobs to support his cricket career. He emphasized that understanding and strengthening the player’s support system is also a coach’s responsibility.
Shedge’s parents have always been supportive and stood by him at every step. He has had a deep passion for cricket since childhood, and his family has always backed him. Now, the focus is on ensuring that the player receives the right guidance and support.
Paranjpe praised Shedge’s character, noting that he remains extremely grateful for every opportunity he receives. According to him, as a player progresses, they realize how fortunate they are, and Shedge has embraced this sentiment well.
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