IPL 2023: PBKS coach reveals if Shikhar Dhawan will play team's next match vs MI

Shikhar Dhawan has missed the last two PBKS games due to an injury, with Sam Curran captaining the side.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) fielding coach Trevor Gonsalves has revealed whether captain Shikhar Dhawan will play in the team’s next IPL 2023 encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 22.

Shikhar Dhawan sustained the injury (niggle) during their game against Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 13. And since then he has missed two matches for his team with Sam Curran captaining the side with one loss and one win to his name.

As per PBKS fielding coach Trevor Gonsalves, Dhawan might also miss out on their upcoming game against the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Speaking to reporters in a post-match press conference after PBKS vs RCB, Gonsalves said: “It should take around two to three days more.”

In his absence, PBKS had won the game against Lucknow Super Giants, albeit with some trouble in chasing 160. However, their luck ran out against RCB, a game they lost by 24 runs at home the other day.

Dhawan has so far amassed 233 runs in four games at a strike rate of 146.54, including half-centuries against the Rajasthan Royals (86*) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (99*). Thus, the PBKS management will hope that the skipper recovers quickly to boost the batting unit.

Just because he was bought for 18 crores, he will not win you matches: Virender Sehwag slams Sam Curran’s captaincy

Meanwhile, former India and Punjab Kings captain Virender Sehwag was unhappy with the way Sam Curran led the PBKS team in absence of Shikhar Dhawan. The 44-year-old labeled the Englishman an inexperienced player for not taking the game deep.

“He's an international player. But you can't buy experience with 18 crores. It only comes when you play, when your hair turns white as you play under the hot sun. We think just because he was bought for 18 crores, he will win you matches. But he doesn't have that experience yet.

It was poor running, there was no need for that. You're captain, you should've stayed, tried to take it to the final overs. But again, the lack of experience cost him,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

PBKS are currently seventh in the IPL 2023 points table with three wins in their first six games.