All the captains of IPL 2024 attended a photoshoot event in Chennai ahead of the IPL 2024 opener on Thursday. However, Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan was absent from the event. Now, the reason for the same has arrived.

Shikhar Dhawan is going to lead Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2024. In his absence from the photoshoot event, vice-captain Jitesh Sharma attended the event. Jitesh Sharma is a wicket-keeper batsman in Punjab Kings who has been promoted as Dhawan’s deputy in IPL 2024.

The IPL 2024 trophy photoshoot with IPL skippers also gave a huge shock to many fans. MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK skipper and named Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain. Gaikwad attended the event with other IPL captains.

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Shikhar Dhawan missed the IPL 2024 captains’ photoshoot due to illness

The reason for Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from IPL 2024 captains’ photoshoot has come to the forefront. According to reports, Dhawan was not well and had a slight fever. Hence, he missed the event.

A Punjab Kings source told reporters that Dhawan had minor illness and could not attend the event as he was not able to travel. He also added that Jitesh Sharma is now the official vice-captain of the team in IPL 2024.

“As indicated in the IPL announcement, Jitesh Sharma is now officially the vice-captain of Punjab Kings for this season. Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from today’s travel was due to a minor illness.

Shikhar Dhawan was under the weather..which is why Jitender Sharma represented Punab Kings in IPL captains meet in Chennai yesterday #IPL2024

— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) March 22, 2024

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Shikhar Dhawan will recover ahead of Pubjab Kings’ opening game

The official also added that Dhawan will recover in time and will be available for Punjab Kings’ opening game in IPL 2024.

“He is expected to recover in time for PBKS’ inaugural match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday (March 23) at the newly constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh,” Dhawan has been actively training with the team in Mohali and is slated to be fully prepared for the opening game against their northern rivals, Delhi Capitals,” the official further added.

Meanwhile, except for Shikhar Dhawan, all the captains of the IPL 2024 teams were present at the IPL 2024 captains’ photoshoot event. KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Shumban Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Pat Cummins, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma were present on the occasion.

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IPL 2024 to witness few chances in captaincy

There are a few changes in captaincy in IPL 2024. Hardik Pandya replaces Rohit Sharma as MI skipper. Pat Cummins replaces Aiden Markram as SRH captain. Shubman Gill will lead Gujarat Titans after the ouster of Pandya. Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are back to lead DC and KKR respectively after missing last season due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan will lead Punjab Kings in the opening game against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, May 23. The IPL 2024 opener will be played between CSK and RCB on Friday, Match 22 in Chennai.