On Saturday, April 1st, Shikhar Dhawan will take full-time charge of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) as they go up against the KKR in the second match of the IPL 2023. The left-handed batsman has been a key figure in the league since its inception in 2008 and will now be tasked with leading the team to their first playoff appearance since 2014. Having amassed 460 runs in the previous season at an average of 38.33, along with a strike rate of 122.66, here are three reasons why Dhawan might have a successful campaign in IPL 2023 with the bat:
1) Dhawan can play without any pressure
The year 2022 proved to be quite a challenge for the experienced left-handed batsman, who did not display the same level of proficiency that he was known for. He has not participated in T20 matches for India since 2021 and has fallen behind in the competition for places. But this could be a blessing in disguise for Shikhar Dhawan, allowing him to go into the IPL 2023 tournament without any expectations. While a successful stint could open the door for the ODI World Cup selection, that is, for the moment, secondary. As Dhawan has no pressure to perform, we could witness some enjoyable batting from him this season, leading to a steady accumulation of runs.
2) Batting-friendly home ground
Shikhar Dhawan’s experience could be a major advantage at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The pitch is renowned for its batting-friendly conditions, which should enable him to play more freely and with more power in the powerplay, providing PBKS with what they hope will be a successful campaign in IPL 2023.
3) Presence of multi power-hitters in the squad
PBKS is set to take the IPL 2023 by storm with an impressive squad of Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Prabhsimran Singh, and Matthew Short. Not to mention Sikandar Raza’s ability to turn a match around, the team is fully equipped to offer valuable support to Shikhar Dhawan. With such a range of power hitters at his disposal, Dhawan can play his natural game of building up innings while also being able to launch into an attack when the situation demands.
