There is no reason he can’t – PBKS coach Trevor Bayliss backs Shikhar Dhawan to return to the Indian team

Punjab Kings head coach Trevor Bayliss has backed Shikhar Dhawan to make a comeback into the Indian team. Dhawan was dropped from the national team after Shubman Gill grabbed his chances at the top of the order and performed consistently.

Meanwhile, Dhawan has all the experience under his belt and he will look to deliver the goods for PBKS in the upcoming season to also make a case for himself in the Indian squad.

Dhawan was Punjab’s leading run-getter in the previous season of the IPL, amassing 460 runs in 14 matches at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 122.66. The left-hander has also been bestowed with captaincy duties for the upcoming season and he will look to lead from the front.

Speaking to PTI, Trevor Bayliss said, “Dhawan is very well respected by the young players in the team. He is a very positive influence on the team and will do a fantastic job. There is no reason he can’t. Playing at the top level first thing is you need is to be in form and score runs. Hopefully from our point of view, he scores a truckload of runs in the next few months and force his way back in and that would be great for us and great for India as well.”

On the other hand, the former England head coach wants PBKS to be aggressive in their approach and feels Sam Curran will strengthen their middle order. Curran was roped in for a whopping INR 18.50 crores, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.

“I want them to play the game for the reasons they started playing the game at the first place, which is the love for the game. I don’t know what it was like in the past but I will run this team like I have always done.”

“One of the things that we thought was lacking last year was not able to finish off innings with the bat. That was one of the reasons why we decided to go after a young all-rounder like Sam. He gives us strength in the middle order and he is a world-class bowler as well.”

Punjab Kings will begin their IPL 2023 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on 1st April.