Veteran India opener Shikhar Dhawan will change Mayank Agarwal as Punjab Kings captain for the 2023 Indian Premier League. The determination was taken on the franchise’s board assembly on Wednesday. The transfer was on anticipated traces after the 31-year-old from Karnataka didn’t take the staff to the IPL play-offs earlier this yr. Agarwal was made captain for the 2022 version after Okay L Rahul determined to maneuver to Lucknow Super Giants. Besides the staff’s inconsistent run, Agarwal’s kind additionally dipped as he managed 196 runs at a mean of 16.33.

The franchise had thought of making Dhawan the skipper final yr as effectively however determined to go forward with Agarwal.

“The board has decided to make Dhawan captain. He has all the experience, both as player and captain in the IPL and also did well for the team in his first season last year,” an IPL supply informed PTI.

Punjab had paid Rs 8.25 crore for Dhawan’s providers on the mega public sale earlier this yr. The 36-year-old southpaw repaid the religion by scoring 460 runs in 14 video games at a mean of 38.33 and a strike price of 122.66.

The franchise is eager on retaining Agarwal regardless of handing over the management duties to Dhawan. A choice on that will probably be made quickly because the participant retention deadline is about at November 15.

Though Dhawan has been a constant performer within the IPL, he solely performs within the 50-over format for India. Of late, he has been captaining the second string India ODI staff and can lead the aspect in New Zealand later this month. In the IPL, he has management expertise with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Punjab may also have a brand new head coach in Trevor Bayliss, who guided England to the 2019 ODI World Cup title and KKR to 2 IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Bayliss will probably be assisted by fellow Australian Brad Haddin.

The staff homeowners’ expectations are excessive from the brand new coach and captain because the franchise searches for its maiden title. Punjab’s offered last look got here means again in 2014. They completed sixth within the earlier 4 seasons.