Punjab Kings fans were surprised to see Sam Curran leading the team during the toss for their crucial match against the Rajasthan Royals. The regular skipper, Shikhar Dhawan, was unexpectedly absent due to a niggle, according to Curran himself. Keep reading to Find out Why Shikhar Dhawan is not Playing Today IPL 2024 Match 27.
Curran Thrust into Leadership Role, Reveals Reason for Dhawan’s Absence
Speaking at the toss, Curran explained the sudden change in captaincy, “Shikhar picked up a niggle, that’s why I’m here.” This unexpected development throws a curveball at the Kings’ plans, as Dhawan has been a crucial player for them this season, scoring over 150 runs in just five matches.
Despite the setback, Curran tried to maintain a positive outlook. He acknowledged, “We would have bowled first as well, but we’ll now have to put the runs on the board. The balance has been good, we’d have liked to win a few more games, but the middle-order looks good, especially Shashank and Ashutosh. We’ve got exciting players and plenty of quality.”
Curran and Livingstone Return to Boost Punjab Kings
There was some positive news for the Kings as well. Curran himself, a vital all-rounder, has recovered from his injury and is back in the playing squad. Additionally, Liam Livingstone, another key player, has also been declared fit to return. Curran confirmed this, stating, “Livingstone is back as well.” Livingstone’s return bolsters the middle order, adding his explosive batting and handy off-spin bowling to the mix.
To fill the gap left by Dhawan’s absence, the Kings have named Atharva Taide as his replacement for this match. Taide is no stranger to the IPL, having represented the Punjab Kings franchise in seven games during the 2023 season. While not a direct like-for-like replacement for Dhawan’s experience, Taide has decent numbers, having scored 186 runs at an average of 26.57 in his previous IPL stint.
The loss of Shikhar Dhawan is a significant blow for the Punjab Kings. His leadership and experience at the top of the order will be missed. However, the return of Curran and Livingstone provides a much-needed boost to the team’s overall balance. The onus will now be on Taide to grab this opportunity and contribute meaningfully at the top of the order.
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