Punjab Kings’ campaign in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to conclude on a unique note as wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma takes over the reins as captain for their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday. This development comes after a series of captaincy changes within the team due to injuries and international commitments.
Originally led by Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings faced a setback when the veteran cricketer sustained a shoulder injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. The responsibility then fell on England‘s Sam Curran, who was named the new captain. However, Curran has now departed for international duty ahead of the T20 World Cup, leaving a leadership vacuum in the team.
Jitesh Sharma, who was appointed as the vice-captain of Punjab Kings before the start of the season, will now step up to lead the side in their final outing. Despite his leadership qualities, Sharma has not had an impactful season with the bat, managing just 155 runs from 13 matches at an average of 14.09 and a strike-rate of 122.05. Nevertheless, his elevation to the captaincy role presents a new challenge and opportunity for the 27-year-old cricketer.
Punjab Kings, currently placed ninth on the points table with 10 points from 13 games, will be looking to end their season on a high note with a victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While their playoff hopes have been dashed, a win in their final match would provide some consolation to the team and its fans.
As Jitesh Sharma leads Punjab Kings onto the field against Sunrisers Hyderabad, all eyes will be on him to see how he manages the team in this crucial encounter. With pride at stake, Punjab Kings will be hoping to finish their IPL 2024 campaign on a positive note under Sharma’s leadership.
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