IPL 2023: Shikhar Dhawan replaces Mayank Agarwal as Punjab Kings Captain

Shikhar Dhawan to lead Punjab Kings for the Indian Premiere League 2023.

Punjab Kings has updated their captaincy role and has handed Shikhar Dhawan the captain’s cap for the 2023 season. Looking at the team’s performance of previous year, it was obvious that the team might come to some certain changes in the squad. This decision was taken place on Wednesday after team’s management arrived for a critical meeting.

Surprisingly, this will be Punjab Kings’ 14th captaincy update in 16 seasons of Indian Premier League. If talked about the management, Trevor Bayliss, the Australian-born head coach of England who won the World Cup and the Ashes, has taken over after Anil Kumble’s three-year contract as head coach was not renewed after it expired earlier last month.

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Dhawan’s rising importance in a national white ball team as a leader is one clear factor in the change in Punjab Kings’ thoughts. Despite not being selected for the Twenty20 matches, Dhawan has recently been leading the ODI team. He was been named captain for the ODI series in New Zealand as well. According to reports of Cricbuzz, the management wants Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow to open frequently, which is another reason for the scheduled change. Choosing the batting order was becoming challenging because Mayank was an opener in addition to being the captain.