Prabhsimran Singh’s maiden India call-up did not come after one exceptional IPL season or a breakthrough tournament. It has been built on years of consistent run-scoring across formats.
The Punjab wicketkeeper-batter has been named in India’s squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe starting today, where he could make his international debut. With Sanju Samson unavailable, Prabhsimran is in line to serve as the backup wicketkeeper to Ishan Kishan, while reuniting with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer in Indian colours.
IPL Changed Everything
Punjab Kings bought him for INR 4.8 crore ahead of the 2019 IPL after he captained India to the Under-19 Asia Cup title. Despite the early hype, opportunities were limited, with Prabhsimran featuring in just six IPL matches across his first four seasons.
Instead of waiting for another chance, he continued to score heavily in domestic cricket. He finished as Punjab’s leading run-scorer in the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, followed it up with another productive campaign the next season, and marked his Ranji Trophy debut with a century.
His IPL career finally took off in 2023. Prabhsimran scored 358 runs, including his maiden IPL century, before following it up with 334 runs at a strike rate of 156.80 in 2024. Those performances earned him a retention ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
He justified that decision immediately. Opening alongside Priyansh Arya under Ricky Ponting, Prabhsimran enjoyed his best IPL season, scoring 549 runs as Punjab Kings reached their first IPL final in 11 years. He then backed it up in IPL 2026, finishing as the franchise’s highest run-scorer with 439 runs in just 11 innings at a strike rate above 170.
The runs kept coming outside the IPL as well. He was part of Punjab’s maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning campaign 2023-24, scored 443 runs in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, struck a match-winning century against Australia A, and followed it with an 84 against Afghanistan A earlier this year.
The Opportunity He Was Waiting For
By the time the selectors picked the squad for Zimbabwe, Prabhsimran had made his case across every level of the game. Now, after years of waiting, he has the opportunity to show that the consistency which earned him an India call-up can also help him cement a place in the national side.
