Here's why Shikhar Dhawan is not leading PBKS against RR in Mullanpur

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) match in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently underway in Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium and is missing quite a few familiar faces, including the captain of the home team.

RR are without senior pros Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have been replaced by Rovman Powell and Tanush Kotian respectively.

LIVE | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2024 Match 27 in Mullanpur

PBKS, meanwhile, are without skipper Shikhar Dhawan, with all-rounder Sam Curran walking out for the toss as the stand-in captain in the company of Rajasthan counterpart Sanju Samson, and Atharva Taide filling his spot at the top of the order as Jonny Bairstow’s opening partner.

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Why is Dhawan not playing in PBKS-RR match?

The reason behind Dhawan’s absence from his team’s third home game of the 17th season would come down to an injury that he had picked up during their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at this very venue earlier this week.

Dhawan had put in a couple of dives during the SRH innings, including in the 16th over bowled by Harshal Patel after a mistimed shot by all-rounder Abdul Samad. According to commentator Harsha Bhogle, Dhawan had hurt his shoulder as a result of the dive and is sitting out of this game.

“Shikhar picked up a niggle, that’s why I’m here,” Curran said at the toss after being quizzed about Dhawan’s absence.

Taide would later get dismissed for 15 off 12 balls, becoming the first Punjab batter to fall after Rajasthan skipper Samson opted to field. Taide got a thick leading edge towards short third man off pacer Avesh Khan’s bowling, with Kuldeep Sen safely collecting the ball despite nearly colliding with Samson.

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Teams:

Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (wk/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal