IPL 2024: Virender Sehwag slams Punjab Kings' 18.5 crore buy Sam Curran

Sam Curran has been captaining PBKS in absence of injured Shikhar Dhawan.

Former India and Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) opener Virender Sehwag has slammed PBKS stand-in captain Sam Curran for his poor performance for the franchise despite his price tag of INR 18.50 crores.

This comes after PBKS are grappling with a series of narrow losses. On top of this, their captain Shikhar Dhawan has been on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, forcing the management to hand over the reins to Sam Curran.

Their latest setback came in a narrow three-wicket loss to the Gujarat Titans, leaving the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise languishing in ninth place in the standings. This was PBKS’ fourth consecutive loss in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Sehwag, who played a couple of seasons for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and was also their mentor, didn’t mince words in his critique of the PBKS’ attitude, particularly when it came to player duties and lineup changes. He also questioned Curran’s role in the team and had a stern message for the side’s management.

“I wouldn’t pick him”- Virender Sehwag on Sam Curran

Sam Curran’s performance this season has been disappointing, with 152 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 116.03 and only one half-century to his name. Despite getting 11 wickets for the PBKS, his overall effect has been questioned as the team struggles.

In the latest loss to GT, Curran was dismissed for 20 off 19 balls against GT, in a match where he also opened the batting for Punjab. Meanwhile, he only took one wicket in two overs, leaking 18 runs.

“If I was in the PBKS dugout, I would not even pick him in my team, neither as a batting all-rounder nor as a bowling all-rounder. I wouldn’t pick him. A player is not of any use if he can bowl a bit and bat a bit. You either bat properly and win us the match, or you bowl and win us the game. This bits and pieces part I don’t understand,” Sehwag slammed Curran on Cricbuzz.

PBKS will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 26 in Kolkata.

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