Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a tough season in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), finishing ninth in the standings. Shikhar Dhawan, the PBKS captain, played only five games due to a shoulder injury, scoring 152 runs. The team’s hopes were further dashed with a 60-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), ending their chances of making the playoffs. Dhawan's injury against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 9 marked a significant setback for the team.
With Dhawan sidelined, England all-rounder Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma took over the captaincy. Despite their efforts, PBKS struggled to find their footing. Dhawan, who moved to PBKS after a successful stint with Delhi Capitals (DC), was bought for INR 8.25 crore at the IPL 2022 auction. He was the top scorer for PBKS in 2022 with 460 runs. However, his performance dipped in 2023, scoring 373 runs in 11 matches.
In an interview with ANI, Dhawan opened up about his future in cricket and hinted at possible retirement. He mentioned that he is going through a transition phase, contemplating the end of his cricket career and the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Dhawan, who is 38 years old, acknowledged that age is a factor and his playing days might be numbered.
"Unfortunately, I got injured this IPL season and could not play for Punjab except for 4-5 matches. It takes time to recover. I am still healing. I have not recovered 100 percent yet," Dhawan said. Despite the challenges, he remains the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history with 6,769 runs in 222 games.
As PBKS considers their strategy for the next season, the question of whether to retain Dhawan as captain remains open. His experience and leadership are invaluable, but his fitness and future availability will be crucial factors in the decision.
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