PBKS vs CSK: Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of IPL 2024? Sunil Joshi provides colossal update

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Sunil Joshi provided a massive update about the fitness of Shikhar Dhawan ahead of the game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He revealed that the captain will be missing the game as he is undergoing rehabilitation.

Punjab Kings have been without the services of skipper Shikhar Dhawan in the last few games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Southpaw faced a shoulder injury after the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 9 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

Since then Shikhar Dhawan has been out of action and it no doubt has left a massive void in the Punjab Kings batting lineup at the top. They lost some crucial games and it's fair to say that had the batter been there, things would've been different for the team.

Shikhar Dhawan has missed the last 5 games for Punjab Kings in the league and there have been a lot of speculations about his comeback. However, in what will be disappointing news for the fans, the opening batter is likely to miss some more action in the league.

Shikhar Dhawan will be missing the Punjab Kings' next game against Chennai Super Kings in the league. The match between the teams will take place on Sunday (5th May) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Bowling coach Sunil Joshi mentioned that Shikhar Dhawan is being monitored closely and confirmed that the batter might be back for the last two games of the Punjab Kings. Speaking to reporters ahead of the game against CSK, he explained:

"Shikhar, he’s under rehab, for this game he isn’t available and is being monitored closely. Hopefully, he should be back for the last two games."

He has done well as a leader - Sunil Joshi on Sam Curran leading Punjab Kings in absence of Shikhar Dhawan

Sunil Joshi further talked about Sam Curran leading the Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan. He highlighted how similar things panned out last year but lauded the all-rounder for leading the team exceptionally well. He added:

"It happened last year as well. Shikhar was in form in the first five games and then again he got injured and then again Sam came in as a replacement. In fact, I should not be saying that it has been repeated the same way.

"We didn’t want it to happen. Nevertheless, I think he has done well as a leader and he has stepped up as a leader too with the team."

In the five games that Shikhar Dhawan played so far in the IPL 2024, the batted scored 252 runs at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61 with one fifty to his name.

Punjab Kings are currently 7th on the points table with 4 wins under their belt. They played magnificently well in the last two games and would be keen to replicate the same against CSK on Sunday.