Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Sunil Joshi gave a comprehensive 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 miss the game as he is undergoing rehabilitation.
The Punjab Kings were without the services of skipper Shikhar Dhawan for the final matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Southpaw suffered a shoulder injury after the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). April 9 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
Since then, Shikhar Dhawan has been out of action and has undoubtedly left a big gap in the Punjab Kings batting line-up at the top. They lost some crucial games and it is fair to say that things would have been different for the team if the batsman had been there.
Shikhar Dhawan has missed Punjab Kings’ last five games in the league and there has been a lot of speculation about his comeback. However, it will come as disappointing news for fans that the opening batsman is likely to miss out on some more action in the league.
Shikhar Dhawan will miss Punjab Kings’ next match against Chennai Super Kings in the league. The game between the teams takes place on Sunday (May 5th) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Bowling coach Sunil Joshi mentioned that Shikhar Dhawan is being watched closely and confirmed that the batsman might be back for Punjab Kings’ final two matches. Speaking to reporters before the match against CSK, he stated:
“Shikhar, he is in rehab, he is not available for this game and is being closely monitored. Hopefully he should be back for the last two games.”
He has done well as a leader – Sunil Joshi over Sam Curran, who is leading the Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan
Sunil Joshi further spoke about it Sam Curran leads the Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan. He emphasized that things were similar last year, but praised the all-rounder for leading the team exceptionally well. He added:
“That happened last year too. Shikhar was in form in the first five games, then he got injured again and then Sam came as a replacement. In fact, I shouldn’t say it’s been repeated in the same way.”
“We didn’t want that to happen. However, I think he has done well as a leader and has also developed as a leader on the team.”
In the five games that Shikhar Dhawan has played so far in IPL 2024, the batted man has scored points 252 runs at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61 with a fifty to his name.
The Punjab Kings are currently seventh in the points table with four wins. They have played great in the last two games and would like to repeat the same on Sunday against CSK.