IPL 2024: Jitesh Sharma Isn't Punjab Kings Vice-Captain, Claims Coach Sanjay Bangar After PBKS vs RR Match

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Mullanpur, Apr 14: Punjab Kings suffered another narrow defeat in the ongoing IPL 2024 as Rajasthan Royals edged them by 3 wickets here at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (April 13).

Defending a below-par 147, Punjab Kings bowlers came back strongly in the death overs to push RR on the back foot in what seemed like a cakewalk for the Sanju Samson-led side.

With 10 runs required from the final over, Shimron Hetmyer kept his cool and finished the game for the Royals by scoring 6,2,6 after playing the first two dot balls in the final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh.

Punjab Kings, who were captained by England all-rounder Sam Curran in the game as their regular skipper Shikhar Dhawan, will have a lot to contemplate now as they have lost four of their six games and find themselves at eighth position in the points table.

However, one decision of the Mohali-based franchise raised eyebrows, as Curran assumed the role of acting skipper despite the presence of the designated vice-captain, Jitesh Sharma, in the squad.

Jitesh Sharma IPL 2024

Before the tournament began, Jitesh Sharma attended the pre-tournament photo session for all ten IPL captains. In Dhawan's absence, due to illness, the wicketkeeper-batter from Vidarbha represented Punjab Kings in the photo session of captains.

The IPL post on X, previously known as Twitter, identified Jitesh as the vice-captain of Punjab Kings, as he was the only non-captain present in the group photo of the IPL captains.

A PBKS source then confirmed to myKhel that Jitesh would be the official vice-captain of the franchise for this season. However, on April 13, Sam Curran led the team onto the field for the toss against RR, leaving many puzzled. Some felt that Jitesh was overlooked by the franchise, despite being the designated vice-captain and part of the Playing 11.

Jitesh Sharma Isn't PBKS Vice-Captain

Jitesh sustained an injury during practice on Friday (April 12), requiring 15 stitches on his eyebrows. Despite this, he took to the field against RR and contributed with a 24-ball 29. PBKS head coach Sanjay Bangar, during the post-match press conference, was asked if Jitesh's injury prevented him from leading the team against RR.

Bangar clarified that Jitesh had not been appointed as the vice-captain of the franchise and that Sam Curran was always intended to be the acting skipper if Dhawan was absent.

"We never announced Jitesh as our vice-captain. He was just representing the franchise during the captain's photo shoot," a message from a PBKS source informed myKhel after coach Bangar spoke about the team's vice-captain at the presser on Saturday (April 13).

During the press conference, the head coach also praised Jitesh for his resilience during the match and commended his bravery for playing despite sustaining 15 stitches on his forehead.