Sunil Joshi

PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi has given a major update on their captain Shikhar Dhawan’s injury ahead of their next clash against CSK on Sunday, May 5 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Joshi revealed that the 38-year-old has made rapid progress in rehabilitation and is being closely monitored. However, the southpaw won’t be available in the upcoming fixture but Joshi hoped that the skipper is likely to be fit for the last two matches of the season. Notably, Dhawan last played this season during Punjab’s fifth fixture against SRH on April 9 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Since then, a shoulder injury has forced him out of action. “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,” said Joshi in the pre-match press conference. Sam Curran has done well as a leader: Joshi Further speaking ahead, Joshi rued Dhawan’s absence but lauded Sam Curran for doing a fantastic job by filling in the skipper’s shoes. “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,” he added. Before getting injured, Dhawan scored 252 runs from five innings at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61 with one fifty to his name. In his absence, Curran didn’t have a memorable beginning as a skipper, with Punjab losing three games on the trot. However, the team made a brilliant comeback by winning their last two fixtures, which included the highest successful run chase in the history of the tournament against KKR in Match 42. Meanwhile, Punjab are currently placed in the sixth spot on the points table with four wins from ten matches, having eight points to their name. They will be eager to win all of their remaining four fixtures to stay in contention for the playoffs. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 4, 2024