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'Strategy Backfired' Shikhar Dhawan Reveals What Went Wrong

image-lh0wjfcfShikhar Dhawan in action in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)

Shikhar Dhawan made a comeback to Punjab Kings’ IPL 2023 campaign after a gap of more than two weeks. However, the senior Indian batter did not have much to celebrate the occasion, as the Kings unit knelt in front of Lucknow Super Giants batting might in a one-sided Mohali affair on April 28.

After Dhawan won the toss and opted to field first, KL Rahul’s Super Giants launched an all-out assault on the hosts from the outset, mounting a 257-run epic upfront. The visitors run-fest, charged up by Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis; turned out to be the second highest team total in the history of IPL, as they fell just a boundary short of RCB’s 263-run effort from 10 years ago.

Shikhar Dhawan says bowlers gave away too many runs

Comeback captain Shikhar Dhawan watched in dismay as his bowlers were tactically punished by the LSG batters upfront. Senior pacers Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh both conceded over 50 runs in their respective spells, while Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone leaked away 57 runs from their combined four overs.

After the match, Dhawan claimed that he felt his bowlers gave away too many runs and his team ultimately paid the price with a huge defeat.

“We gave too many runs away and we paid the price for it. I feel that the strategy to play with one extra fast bowler backfired whereas KL used an extra spinner. I tried to change something and it didn't work but that's all right. It's a good learning for me and we'll come back better stronger,”

The Indian veteran also defended his decision of sending explosive hitter Shahrukh Khan down at number eight in the batting order. He said that he wanted his English imports Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran to bat higher because of their big-hitting dexterity.

Notably, both Livingstone and Curran failed to get going despite getting off to good starts. Punjab Kings number three batter, young Atharva Taide, turned out to be the top-scorer of the innings with his fighting 36-ball 66.

“There was no particular reason. Livingstone was there and even Sam hits quite well so that's how we kept it.”

Dhawan is now scheduled to reprise his Punjab Kings leadership role in their next game against the CSK. The match, an away fixture for his side, will be played out on April 30 afternoon.