Shikhar Dhawan was retained by PBKS ahead of IPL 2024 auction.
Shikhar Dhawan, the out-of-favor Indian opener, has targeted his focus on the upcoming IPL 2024 and has returned to the nets to prepare for the mega event next year. Dhawan is slated to captain Punjab Kings (PBKS) once more.
The 38-year-old was retained by the PBKS team management recently before the IPL 2024 auction, keeping the faith in him after a tough league season earlier this year.
Dhawan, who was bought by PBKS in the IPL 2022 auction, has been one of the most consistent scorers for them. He has made 460 runs in 14 matches at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 122.67 in IPL 2022. Then in IPL 2023, he made 373 runs at an average of 41.44 and a highly impressive strike rate of 142.91 in only 11 matches.
Punjab Kings, led by Shikhar Dhawan, placed seventh in the IPL 2023 standings, ahead of Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite winning only six of 14 matches.
After only a few months, on Monday, December 11, he posted a video on his official Instagram account to show followers a taste of his training for the PBKS's IPL 2024 season.
In the video, Shikhar Dhawan is seen stretching with his kit on and then takes guard to play defensive strokes, followed by attacking strokes too. He captioned the post: “Returning to the cricket pitch, where each shot feels like a reunion with an old friend.”