Revealed: Why did Sam Curran walk out as Punjab Kings' captain during the toss against Rajasthan Royals and not Shikhar Dhawan

Atishay Jain

• Sat • 13 Apr 2024

Shikhar Dhawan and Sam Curran. (PC: Getty).

Highlights:

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to field against the Punjab Kings on April 13.

PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan was sidelined due to an injury, leading Sam Curran to take his place at the toss.

In the 27th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sam Curran represented the PBKS at the toss, sparking curiosity among fans about the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, the team's usual captain. Typically, in Dhawan's absence, Jitesh Sharma would step in as the vice-captain, but he too was missing from the toss. Curran provided a crucial update during the toss.

Shikhar Dhawan suffering from a niggle

Curran revealed that Shikhar Dhawan picked up a niggle and thus was unavailable for the match. There was no specific information given about Jitesh Sharma; although he was included in the playing eleven, he did not perform his duties as vice-captain during the toss.

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This development was particularly notable since Jitesh Sharma had been announced as the vice-captain earlier in the season. Before the start of IPL 2024, at a photoshoot for the captains of all ten teams, Dhawan was unable to attend, and the Punjab Kings sent Jitesh Sharma as his replacement, affirming his role as vice-captain. However, his absence from the toss, along with Dhawan, raised questions.

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RR elects to field

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to field against the Punjab Kings on April 13. The Royals had to make two substitutions due to injuries, with Rovman Powell and Tanush Kotian stepping in for Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin, respectively. PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan was sidelined due to an injury, leading Sam Curran to take his place at the toss. Atharva Taide was brought into PBKS's lineup to replace Dhawan. Liam Livingstone also returned to Punjab's playing XI.

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

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

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