Follow UsPunjab Kings (PBKS) have announced that Jitesh Sharma will lead the side in their final Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 19 (Sunday). Jitesh will replace Sam Curran at the helm after the England all-rounder left to join his national side as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024.
This will be the first time Jitesh will lead the franchise. Shikhar Dhawan, who led the side in the first five games of the season, suffered an injury, after which Curran took over the reins. The franchise remained hopeful of having their skipper back for the last two games, but he continues to be on the sidelines.
Speaking of the season so far, Jitesh said, "The mood is more positive in the dressing room than before because we have nothing to lose now. The season has been inconsistent for us.
"But we played really good cricket and we had many positives throughout the season. The way Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have played was excellent, and Harpreet Brar and Prabhsimran Singh have also been in good form throughout the season. In cricket, things can change in an instant. We just missed out on some luck."
PBKS are already out of contention for a place in the playoffs. They have managed just five wins this season so far. Another win will see them jump to the eighth spot. Jitesh has not had the best of seasons with the bat. He has scored just 155 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 122.04. He is yet to go past 30 this season.
"I am such a player who is never happy. But I love it when the team wins. I agree that I have had ups and downs this season. My intent was good. I want my team to win. Personal goals are different for me. I had a very good learning his year. Now I have seen this phase, it will be better in the coming years," Jitesh said ahead of the game.
Despite a disappointing campaign, PBKS managed to beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) - a team that has already made the playoffs - by five wickets in their previous match. Punjab have not made the IPL playoffs since reaching the final in 2014.
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