One of India's biggest match-winners in white-ball cricket in the decade gone by Shikhar Dhawan is currently out of the Indian national team. With his form dipping and the management looking to build a team for the future, the left-handed batter looks set to miss the ODI World Cup later this year in India even though he has been the Men in Blue's most consistent performers in white-ball cricket especially in the ICC tournaments.
For Dhawan to reignite any hopes of a national comeback, much like Dinesh Karthik did last year, this year's IPL will be very crucial. Remarkable performances in this edition of the tournament seems like his best bet to get his place back in the side.
However, one thing that has been constant with the veteran cricketer is his smile and the calm in his demeanour. With a tough road cut out for him in the times to come if he was to make a national comeback, Dhawan shared a reel on Instagram on a lighter note. In the video, the Punjab Kings captain for IPL 2023 is asked his plans for Valentine's Day to which he gives a hilarious response.
New captain and coach for PBKS in IPL 2023
It is pertinent to note that the 37-year-old will lead the Punjab franchise in the IPL this year. Post his appointment as captain, the franchise released Mayank Agarwal who had led the team last season. In addition, Anil Kumble's three-year contract as the head coach of the team was not renewed and Trevor Bayliss, the World Cup-winning coach of England was hired in hope of a better team performance.
IPL 2023 is expected to commence on March 31 or April 1, although an official announcement of the schedule is awaited. The IPL will return to the traditional home and away format this year.