Rohit Sharma And...? 4 IPL Greats Who Might Replace Shikhar Dhawan In Punjab Kings

Rohit Sharma with Shikhar Dhawan [X]Rohit Sharma with Shikhar Dhawan [X]

This morning, prominent Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket through a heartfelt post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). 

Hailed as India's go-to man in ICC tournaments, Dhawan brought the curtain down on his illustrious career, thanking his family, friends and well-wishers. 

Considering his achievements across formats, Dhawan's retirement certainly marks the end of an era in Indian Cricket. 

In addition to international cricket, Dhawan has been a legendary figure in the Indian Premier League, being the second most successful batter in the tournament's history. 

For the unversed, Dhawan hasn't officially retired from the IPL and is hence still available for selection. However, given his form and fitness, Punjab Kings might not retain the batting stalwart ahead of the 2025 mega auction. 

As huge doubts loom over Dhawan's retention, let's analyse and find out which players might replace the southpaw in the Kings' camp for IPL 2025. 

Rohit Sharma

Dhawan's former opening partner, Rohit Sharma, could be his perfect replacement in Punjab Kings. In a dramatic sequence of events, Mumbai Indians replaced Rohit with veteran all-rounder Hardik Pandya as captain ahead of the last season. 

Given Rohit's age, the five-time champions might not invest in the batting stalwart for a few more seasons. 

If Rohit is released, Punjab Kings might consider him a captaincy option. It could be a tactical masterstroke, as Rohit can bring an end to their title drought, being a five-time IPL-winning skipper. 

David Warner

Warner might be released by DC [X]Warner might be released by DC [X]

Just like Rohit, David Warner has achieved unprecedented heights as a batter in the IPL. The Australian great is the most successful overseas batter in IPL history. He is also rated highly as a captain, having exhibited his tactical masterclass for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past. 

Warner's abysmal performance in the IPL 2023 might lead to his ouster from Delhi Capitals. If he is released to the auction pool, Punjab Kings might consider buying him and appointing him their captain. 

Faf du Plessis

Once a vital cog in the Chennai Super Kings' setup, Faf du Plessis currently serves as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. 

Although his appointment hasn't ensured an IPL trophy for RCB, Du Plessis remains an asset with the bat at 40. 

So, if RCB release the Proteas great due to his age, Punjab Kings might rope him in as their opener and captain for IPL 2025. 

KL Rahul

The stylish batter from Karnataka has led Punjab Kings in the past. Known for his scintillating batting, Rahul is regarded as one of the flamboyant stroke-makers in modern-day cricket. 

However, according to several reports, the right-handed batter might leave Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2025 mega auction. 

Punjab Kings would be interested in bringing him back to their setup if he is available in the auction pool. 

Having led the franchise in the past, Rahul can collaborate with the management and owners to ensure they won't end up with another wooden spoon in 2025.