A Father's Smile Rises with Every Shot-Prabhsimran Singh's Silent Motivation

All cricketers have a reason for their love but for Prabhsimran Singh it is something deeply personal. Punjab Kings' opening batter is sparkling in IPL 2025 and his performances are not only winning games but also bringing joy to his sick father. His father Surjit Singh is facing a very difficult period and needs to go through dialysis three times a week. But even in this agonizing routine there is one thing that makes him smile. That is when he sees his son play on TV.

Prabhsimran has emerged as one of the best performers for PBKS this year. In his recent encounter with Lucknow Super Giants he played an impressive 91 off 48 deliveries. Although he fell short of scoring a well-merited hundred, he had a significant influence on the game. Post-match, when he rang up his father Surjit to narrate the moment, he had an unexpected response from him. His father gave him a gentle admonishment for throwing away his wicket before scoring a hundred. It is an indication of how closely his father observes each ball he plays and how important it is to him.

Surjit Singh's health situation is grave. Dialysis three times a week is tiring and painful. His brother Satwinderpal Singh who has also mentored Prabhsimran in his cricket career revealed how hard it is to see his younger brother suffer. He said that he often has to leave the house when doctors arrive for the dialysis because he cannot stand seeing the pain. Even at such a trying moment, Surjit gets hope and happiness from his son's batting.

Whenever Punjab Kings play a match, the family gets ready as if it is a celebration. Satwinderpal explained that he carries Surjit to the living room before each match. They sit together and watch the match on television. When the camera focuses on Prabhsimran or as they fondly address him Surjit's face glows. He smiles and laughs at each boundary and six. During those few hours he is oblivious to his pain and sickness. The game gives him courage and happiness. If Prabhsimran plays a dangerous shot or gets out early Surjit does not restrain himself. He yells at the television telling his son to play more carefully.

This bond between father and son is not merely about cricket. It is about how sport can unite families even during times of suffering. It is about how love and pride are enough to give a person the strength to endure pain. The next day when Prabhsimran video called his father after the 91-run knock he was greeted with more of the same stern stuff. Surjit queried him in a straight forward manner why he didn't make the century. Satwinderpal reports with a smile that even when criticizing Simmu Surjit was panting for breath. He regularly had to intervene and tell Surjit to compliment his son for such brilliant play.

Behind each run and each shot Prabhsimran takes on the field there is a story of emotions. It is not merely cricket statistics and records for him. It is about getting his father to smile even if it is for a short while. Surjit and his brother Satwinderpal have been guiding forces in Prabhsimran's life. With his cousins Tejpreet Singh and Anmolpreet Singh the family has been intensely involved in cricket. They know the game and they know how much it is to see one of their own achieve.

This season of IPL has witnessed numerous young stars shine. But Prabhsimran is different from the rest not only because of his aggressive batting but also due to the solid emotional reason for his performances. He is not playing for popularity or for the team. He is playing so that his father can smile at the worst part of his life.

Though his fans across the nation celebrate each game of Prabhsimran Singh his largest fan is his father. A father who could perhaps be frail in body but whose spirit soars with each shot that he hits on the field. A father who looks for his son's face on television to forget his agony even if for a while. And a son who dedicates everything on the field not only to win the games but to win those priceless smiles from his father's heart.