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Shikhar Dhawan, the Punjab Kings' designated captain, is set to miss the team's upcoming matches due to a shoulder injury confirmed by coach Sanjay Bangar. This setback could keep him sidelined for at least a week, potentially causing him to miss two crucial IPL 2024 matches against Mumbai Indians on April 18 and Gujarat Titans on April 21, both scheduled at home in Mullanpur.
During a press conference following Kings' narrow loss to Rajasthan Royals, Bangar initially indicated that Dhawan might be out for a couple of days but later suggested it could extend to at least seven to ten days depending on his response to treatment. Dhawan's absence has prompted Sam Curran to step in as captain for the Kings, albeit leading to some confusion as Jitesh Sharma had attended the captains' conference before the season commenced.
Bangar clarified that Jitesh Sharma was not the designated vice-captain, explaining that Sam Curran's leadership experience from the previous year made him the logical choice. Dhawan's absence poses a significant challenge for the Kings, especially considering their struggles with batting consistency at the top of the innings, contributing to their current eighth-place position with four losses in six games.
While Dhawan hasn't enjoyed a standout performance with the bat in IPL 2024, he remains the Kings' highest run-scorer so far. His absence will require other players like Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, and Jitesh Sharma to step up and fill the void. In their recent match without Dhawan, Kings experimented with Atharva Taide at the top, emphasizing the team's search for a stable batting order to improve their chances in low-scoring games, particularly at their home ground in Mullanpur.
Bangar expressed concern about the top order's struggles, attributing part of the challenge to the unique conditions at Mullanpur where early wickets tend to fall due to the pitch behavior. This trend has affected both the Kings and visiting teams, highlighting the need for adaptability and consistency in batting performances.
Dhawan's injury underscores the unpredictable nature of sports and the IPL's demanding schedule. As the Kings regroup to face upcoming challenges without their captain, their focus will be on rallying as a team and finding effective strategies to overcome adversities on the field.
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