Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Sunil Joshi gave a massive update on Shikhar Dhawan’s fitness ahead of the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He revealed that the captain will lose the game. while he is in rehab.
Punjab Kings have been without the services of captain Shikhar Dhawan in the recent matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The left-hander faced a shoulder injury after the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 9 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
Since then, Shikhar Dhawan has been out of action and has certainly left a big void at the top of the Punjab Kings batting line-up. They lost some crucial games and it’s fair to say that if the batsman had been there things would have been different for the team.
Shikhar Dhawan has missed Punjab Kings’ last 5 matches in the league and there has been a lot of speculation about his return. However, in what will be disappointing news for fans, the leadoff hitter is likely to miss further league action.
Shikhar Dhawan will miss Punjab Kings’ next league match against Chennai Super Kings. The match between the teams will take place. Sunday (May 5) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
Bowling coach Sunil Joshi mentioned that Shikhar Dhawan is being closely monitored and confirmed that the batsman could return for Punjab Kings’ last two games. Speaking to reporters before the match against CSK, he explained:
“Shikhar is in rehabilitation, is not available for this game and is being closely monitored. Hopefully, he should return for the last two games.”
He has done well as a leader: Sunil Joshi on Sam Curran leading Punjab Kings in Shikhar Dhawan’s absence
Sunil Joshi spoke more about Sam Curran leads the Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan. He highlighted how similar things happened last year but praised the all-rounder for leading the team exceptionally well. He added:
“This happened last year too. Shikhar was fit in the first five matches and then he got injured again and then Sam came in as a substitute. In fact, I shouldn’t say it was repeated in the same way.
“We didn’t want it to happen. However, I think he has done well as a leader and has also taken a step forward as a leader with the team.”
In the five matches that Shikhar Dhawan has played so far in IPL 2024, the batsman has scored 252 runs at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61 with a fifty to his name.
Punjab Kings are currently at 7th place in the points table with 4 wins under their belt. They have played superbly well in the last two matches and would be eager to repeat the same against CSK on Sunday.