Wicket-keeping batter Jitesh Sharma has been confirmed as the new vice-captain of Punjab Kings for the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.
PBKS will face Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2024 opener at the newly-built Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mohali on Saturday, March 23.
Jitesh was confirmed as the PBKS vice-captain during the captain’s photoshoot ahead of the IPL 2024 opener on March 22. Jitesh represented PBKS, stepping in for skipper Shikhar Dhawan.
Jitesh has one of the brighest sparks for Punjab Kings in the recent IPL seasons. He has scored 543 runs in the last two seasons, while strikiung at 159.24.
He scored 309 runs in 14 matches, while striking at 156.06 last season. His performances both with the bat and the gloves has helped him break into the Indian T20I setup.
Since making his India debut in October 2023, Jitesh has scored 100 runs at a strike-rate of 147.05, while being taking three catches and being involved in a solitary stumping in nine matches.
IPL 2024 will be crucial for Jitesh as he looks to cement his spot in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which begins in June.
Punjab Kings roped in eight new players at the IPL 2024 mini-auction in Dubai, signing Harshal Patel (Rs. 11.75 crore), Chris Woakes (Rs. 4.20 crore), Ashutosh Sharma (Rs. 20 lakh), Vishwanath Pratap Singh (Rs. 20 lakh), Shashank Singh (Rs. 20 lakh), Tanay Thyagarajann (Rs. 20 lakh), Prince Choudhary (Rs. 20 lakh), Rilee Rossouw (Rs. 8 crore).
Last season, PBKS finished eighth in the league table, winning six of their 14 matches while losing eight. Despite starting off strongly, they missed out on the playoffs spot by four points.
PBKS IPL 2024 SQUAD
Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jitesh Sharma (VC), Arshdeep Singh, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.