Punjab Kings on Jitesh Sharma-Sam Curran Disagreement over Vice-Captaincy

The captaincy saga involving Punjab Kings (PBKS) sparked a response from fans on social media when Sam Curran, who was supposed to lead the side, was replaced by stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma for the initial matches. This move upset many fans, with PBKS facing heat on social media. The team’s assistant coach, Sanjay Bangar, clarified that Curran’s absence from the captains’ photoshoot was due to his late arrival from the United Kingdom, and that the team had always planned for Curran to lead the side.

Bangar explained that the decision to send Jitesh Sharma as a stand-in was due to a directive from an IPL member, which required a player to attend the captain’s seminar at the start of the tournament. While Sharma was sent per this requirement, it was never the team’s intention for him to be the vice-captain. However, the team remained clear that the opening would be for Sam Curran to lead the team.

After a hard-fought match, stand-in skipper Curran admitted that it was a tough loss. Despite the lower order’s efforts and good bowling and fielding, PBKS fell short. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back in the next game, particularly as they continue to adapt to the conditions at the new venue.

Despite the close-margin losses in the last two matches, Curran emphasized the team’s positive play and expressed optimism that the team’s recent performances would boost morale going forward.