As anticipation builds for the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, captains from all franchises recently gathered for the customary official photoshoot. This cherished tradition sees skippers proudly posing alongside the coveted IPL trophy, setting the stage for the cricketing extravaganza that lies ahead.
Notable absences
Amidst the gathering of captains, a couple of notable absences raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts. Firstly, the absence of MS Dhoni, the legendary former captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was conspicuous. Instead, Ruturaj Gaikwad was seen donning the CSK jersey, signifying a passing of the torch from Dhoni to the young talent.
Surprise absence of Shikhar Dhawan
Adding to the intrigue was the unexpected absence of Shikhar Dhawan, the skipper of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) franchise. In Dhawan’s place, Jitesh Sharma, newly appointed vice-captain of the team, took his spot during the captains’ photoshoot, leaving fans speculating about the reason behind Dhawan’s absence.
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Explanation unveiled
A source closely associated with the Punjab Kings franchise shed light on the situation, clarifying the mystery behind Dhawan’s absence. It was disclosed that Dhawan was sidelined due to a minor illness but was expected to recover in time for the team’s opening clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 23.
“As indicated in the IPL announcement, Jitesh Sharma is now officially the vice-captain of Punjab Kings for this season. Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from today’s travel was due to a minor illness. He is expected to recover in time for PBKS’ inaugural match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday (March 23) at the newly constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali. Dhawan has been actively training with the team in Mohali and is slated to be fully prepared for the opening game against their northern rivals, Delhi Capitals,” a source told MyKhel.
