Punjab Kings’ management is facing a crucial decision regarding the fitness of star opener Shikhar Dhawan as they gear up for the final two fixtures of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhawan has been sidelined since sustaining a shoulder injury during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9, leaving a noticeable void in the team’s lineup.
Assistant coach Brad Haddin expressed disappointment over Dhawan’s absence, highlighting the veteran player’s importance to the squad as the most successful opener in the tournament. The team is hopeful that Dhawan will be fit to play in the upcoming games after being assessed in Delhi later this week.
With just eight points from 11 matches, Punjab Kings are in a precarious position in the IPL standings. In order to keep their playoff hopes alive, the team must secure victories in all three remaining games. Haddin emphasized the need for the team to learn from past mistakes and focus on their upcoming clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who also have eight points but a better Net Run Rate.
RCB’s Swapnil Singh echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of winning all remaining games to improve their chances of making it to the playoffs. As the competition intensifies, Punjab Kings will be banking on Dhawan’s potential return to boost their chances of securing a spot in the playoffs.