Why is Shikhar Dhawan Not Playing IPL 2023 for Punjab Kings?

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and chose to bowl in Indian Premier League 2023 Match 31 at the Wankhede Stadium tonight. Playing their third home match of the season, Indians have received a shot in the arm in the form of fast bowler Jofra Archer‘s return into the Playing XI.

“We are going to have a bowl first. Really nice to have some wins under the belt. Winning is always nice and the atmosphere is good but the job is not done. We have had some injuries but Jofra [Archer] is back,” Sharma told host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss.

It is worth a mention that Archer is playing this match in place of batter Nehal Wadhera and that is the only change made by the hosts. With MI playing with three overseas players against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, they had the option of playing Archer for an Indian cricketer.

Why is Shikhar Dhawan Not Playing Today vs Mumbai Indians?

Much like Sharma, Punjab Kings stand-in captain Sam Curran also wanted to bowl first to follow a trend both at this venue and in the competition.

“Lot of close games for us. We would have bowled [first] as well, that is the trend but hopefully we will do well. Have a good powerplay and then take it from there,” Curran told Star Sports at the toss.

Curran leading PBKS for the third match in a row means that regular captain Shikhar Dhawan will be missing another match. Dhawan, who had injured his shoulder against Gujarat Titans last week, is yet to recover from the same.

“No Shikhar [Dhawan], that’s why I am here but he’s recovering and should be back soon. Great opportunity for the others to put their hand,” Curran said of Dhawan’s absence. The development means that Kings have presented uncapped Indian batter Atharva Taide with a third opportunity in a row despite failures in the first two.

The only change for Punjab has come in the form of batter Prabhsimran Singh playing in place of fast bowler Nathan Ellis. Batting first unlike the last match, the visitors could bring Ellis as an Impact Player in the second innings.