Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play in their final league stage fixture when they travel to Hyderabad to take on the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, May 19. But, ahead of their final match in IPL 2024, the franchise confirmed that Jitesh Sharma will take the helm in the absence of Sam Curran and unavailability of Shikhar Dhawan.
The England all-rounder, Sam Curran, who led the Punjab Kings with their regular skipper Shikhar Dhawan missing several matches due to injury and eventually getting ruled out, has returned home alongside Jonny Bairstow. These two players were the last to leave for England to resume national duties ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
It is to be noted that the wicketkeeper-batter was named the vice-captain of the Punjab Kings ahead of the 2024 season, but it was Sam Curran who replaced Shikhar Dhawan midway through the tournament. “Skipper Ji-tezz reporting! 🚨 #SherSquad, presenting to you our captain for the final game against SRH,” PBKS captioned the post on social media.
Moreover, with the return of Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone, Rilee Rossouw and Nathan Ellis are the only two overseas players available with PBKS for their final match. Speaking on the franchise, the Punjab Kings were the second team to get knocked out of the tournament and are placed ninth in the points table with five wins from 13 matches and 10 points to their name.
