Why Punjab Kings’ Shikhar Dhawan Missed IPL 2024 Captain’s Photoshoot? Here Is The Truth
New Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 captain’s photoshoot on Thursday as the Punjab Kings skipper is keeping unwell, according to the sources in the franchise. Jitesh Sharma, who will don the vice-captain’s hat, represented the franchise. Punjab Kings, who finished eighth in IPL 2023, will start their IPL 2024 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
“Shikhar is under the weather and Jitesh represented the franchise as the vice-captain of the team for the photoshoot,” the source added. Although the nature of Dhawan’s sickness is yet to be known, the southpaw is expected to be fit before the clash against Delhi Capitals. The India cricketer has been actively training with the team in Mohali.
As far as the team is concerned, Punjab Kings roped in some of the best T20 players in the circuit at the moment. They secured the services of Harshal Patel (Rs 11.75 crore), Chris Woakes (Rs 4.20 crore) and Rilee Rossouw (Rs 8 crore) among the international starts.
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The #TATAIPL is here and WE are ready to ROCK & ROLL
Presenting the 9 captains with PBKS being represented by vice-captain Jitesh Sharma. pic.twitter.com/v3fyo95cWI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 21, 2024
Taking about the uncapped stars, the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise bought Ashutosh Sharma (Rs 20 lakh), Vishwanath Pratap Singh (Rs 20 lakh), Shashank Singh (Rs 20 lakh), Tanay Thyagarajann (Rs 20 lakh) and Prince Choudhary (Rs 20 lakh).
In the last season, Punjab Kings won six games out of their 15 matches. They started on a bright start with two wins in their first two encounters but slipped the playoffs race in the middle. Eventually, Punjab Kings were four points short of a place in the top four.
Earlier, Punjab Kings launched their new match-day jersey in Chandigarh in a spectacular event. “The love and passion of the ‘Sher Squad’ is infectious and it is hard for me to put in words how happy I am, to back here,” Dhawan said at the jersey launch event.
“We have an exciting team this season that will give everything on the pitch as we look forward to don the vibrant new jersey and play at the new home ground infront of all of you,” he added.