IPL 2024: Setback For Punjab Kings As Injured Skipper Dhawan To Sit Out For 10 Days
Punjab Kings could be facing a significant setback as skipper Shikhar Dhawan may be sidelined for up to ten days due to a shoulder injury, revealed the team's head of cricket development, Sanjay Bangar, following their narrow loss to Rajasthan Royals.
Dhawan's absence was conspicuous during the game against Royals, with Sam Curran stepping up to lead the side in his place.
"Shikhar is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it looks like he'll need some time off, at least a week or so," Bangar stated during the post-match press conference. "His experience at the top of the order is invaluable, especially on pitches like these."
Jitesh Sharma stood in as the team's representative during the captains' meeting at the start of the season, as Dhawan was battling fever and stayed back in Mullanpur. While Curran's appearance for the toss may have raised eyebrows, Bangar clarified that it was always the plan for Curran to lead the team in Dhawan's absence.
"It wasn't that Jitesh was the stand-in captain. We had decided that if needed, Sam Curran would take over the captaincy," Bangar explained.
The absence of Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow has posed challenges for Punjab Kings, particularly in getting off to strong starts. Atharva Taide, Dhawan's replacement in the last game, also struggled against Rajasthan Royals.
Bangar acknowledged the concern, stating, "It's worrying that our top order isn't firing as expected. They're putting in the effort, but the runs aren't flowing."
He attributed part of the struggle to the conditions at Mullanpur, noting, "The wicket tends to behave unpredictably in the first few overs, causing uneven bounce. This has been a challenge not just for us but for visiting teams as well."
