Shikhar Dhawan’s shoulder injury, confirmed by Punjab Kings coach Sanjay Bangar, is causing concern for the team’s prospects in the ongoing IPL 2024. The injury could potentially keep Dhawan out of action for at least a week, affecting his participation in crucial matches, including clashes against Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.
During a press conference following Kings’ narrow defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur, Bangar indicated that Dhawan might be sidelined for “at least a couple of days” due to the shoulder injury. However, he suggested that the recovery period could extend to “at least seven to ten days,” casting doubt over Dhawan’s availability for upcoming fixtures.
Dhawan’s absence poses a significant challenge for Punjab Kings, as he serves as the designated captain of the team. In his stead, Sam Curran took on the role during the recent match, leading to some confusion among fans and pundits.
Clarifying the captaincy situation, Bangar explained that Curran was always the intended stand-in captain in Dhawan’s absence, despite Jitesh Sharma’s attendance at the captains’ seminar before the season began.
While Dhawan’s performances in IPL 2024 haven’t been outstanding, he remains Kings’ leading run-scorer with 152 runs from five innings. His absence exacerbates the team’s batting woes, particularly at the top of the order, where they have struggled to post competitive totals.
Jonny Bairstow, Dhawan’s opening partner, has also endured a lean spell with the bat, contributing to Kings’ batting woes. The team’s struggles at the top have been a significant factor in their disappointing start to the season, with four losses from six games.
In Dhawan’s absence, Kings experimented with Atharva Taide at the top of the order in their recent match. However, the team’s batting frailties persisted, highlighting the challenges they face in finding a stable opening combination.
Bangar acknowledged the concerns surrounding Kings’ top-order batting, attributing their struggles to the challenging conditions in Mullanpur, where low-scoring games have been the norm. He noted that the pitch tends to offer assistance to bowlers early on, posing difficulties for both home and visiting teams’ top orders.
As Punjab Kings look to navigate Dhawan’s absence and address their batting deficiencies, they face a crucial juncture in their IPL campaign. The coming matches will test their resilience and ability to adapt to challenging circumstances as they strive to climb the league standings and regain momentum in the tournament. Stay Connected for the Shikhar Dhawan injury update.
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