Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be without their skipper Shikhar Dhawan when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) today. Shukhar Dhawan is recovering from a shoulder injury and is likely to miss another match before returning against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 1st.
Shikhar Dhawan absence a Blow to PBKS Batting
Shikhar Dhawan‘s injury is a setback for PBKS, who have already been struggling with their batting this season. The 38-year-old opener last played on April 9th and his experience is sorely missed. Spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi confirmed Dhawan is on the mend and expressed hope for his return in the next match.
“He was in form and we really missed his batting services. We saw him batting yesterday, going through the nets and everything,” Joshi said on the eve of their match against KKR.
“He is on the road to recovery. Hopefully, he should be fit for the next game (against CSK),” he said.
Jitesh Sharma’s Struggles
Another concern for PBKS is the underwhelming performance of wicket-keeper batsman Jitesh Sharma. With only 128 runs in eight matches, Sharma has fallen short of expectations. Coach Joshi attributes this partly to the pressure of potentially making the T20 World Cup squad.
Sunil Joshi’s Advice: Focus on Present
Joshi urged Sharma to focus on the basics and play one ball at a time. He emphasized the importance of staying present and not getting overwhelmed by the pressure of selection.
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Shifting Pressure to KKR
Looking towards the KKR match, Joshi believes the pressure will be on the home team to perform. He feels this might give PBKS an advantage, allowing them to play with more freedom and potentially score big runs.
Can PBKS overcome their batting woes and steal a win against KKR despite missing their skipper? Will Jitesh Sharma heed his coach’s advice and find his form? Tonight’s match promises some intriguing storylines.
Editors pick
