After Ruturaj Gaikwad was named captain of the Chennai Super Kings for the upcoming season, fans of cricket were taken aback. Gaikwad replaces the legendary MS Dhoni, who captained the team to five IPL trophies. As supporters excitedly anticipated the traditional captains’ photo session, veteran opener and Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan was not present.
Rather, the team was represented by wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, which sparked rumours about his possible position in the team. A treasured custom in the IPL is the captains’ photo session, in which the captains of the individual teams proudly hold the coveted trophy.
Dhawan was absent from the picture of the ten tournament captains posing with the trophy during the event prior to the season opener in Chennai. In Dhawan’s absence, the newly appointed vice-captain of the Punjab Kings attended the function. IPL tweeted, “Presenting the 9 captains with PBKS being represented by vice-captain Jitesh Sharma,” via its official X (previously Twitter) account.
IPL 2024:
“As indicated in the IPL announcement, Jitesh Sharma is now officially the vice-captain of Punjab Kings for this season. A minor illness was the reason behind Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from today’s travel. He should be well enough to play on Saturday, March 23, at the brand-new Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali, when PBKS takes on the Delhi Capitals,” an informed source close to the Punjab Kings franchise told MyKhel.
“Dhawan has been actively training with the team in Mohali and is slated to be fully prepared for the opening game against their northern rivals, Delhi Capitals,” the source continued.
Since making his IPL debut in 2022, 30-year-old Amravati, Maharashtra, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has been nothing short of extraordinary. Sharma has made a name for himself with 543 runs at an amazing average of 25.86 in 26 games.
On March 23, PBKS will play their first tournament match at the new Mullanpur stadium against Delhi Capitals.
So, this was all about the IPL 2024 update. Also read, CM Patnaik & Ravi Shastri discuss cricket infra in Odhisa
