Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a forgetful season in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League as Shikhar Dhawan and Co. finished ninth in the final standings. Finalists in the 2014 edition, Punjab Kings were handed a 60-run defeat by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Dharamsala, confirming their premature exit from the playoff race of the IPL 2024. PBKS failed to arrest their slide after losing skipper Dhawan due to an injury in the league stage of the cash-rich tournament.
Opener Dhawan suffered a shoulder injury against former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 9. Replacing Dhawan at the helm, England all-rounder Sam Curran stepped in as the leader of the Punjab-based franchise. Curran and Jitesh Sharma ended up captaining the Dhawan-less side for the remainder of the IPL 2024. Capping off an underwhelming campaign, veteran Indian opener Dhawan only recorded five appearances for the Punjab Kings in the 2024 season.
In an interview with ANI, Dhawan reflected on his IPL journey and opened up about retirement talks. The senior batter admitted that he was going through a transition. “I am also going through a transition ‘Jahan Meri Cricket Vishram Pe Aayegi’ and a new chapter in my life will start. You only have a certain age till you can play. It could be one year more, two years more, or xyz for me…,” Dhawan said.
