Former India captain Virender Sehwag criticized Sam Curran who has been captaining the Punjab Kings (PBKS) side in absence of Shikhar Dhawan in the past two matches in the IPL 2023. While PBKs managed to somehow defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), they lost their recent match to Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB).
After being invited to bat by PBKS’ stand-in skipper Sam Curran, the RCB posted a competitive total of 174/4 in 20 overs; their openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis posted a 137-run stand for the opening wicket. In reply, the Kings were bowled out on 150 with ten deliveries to spare.
In reply, while Prabhsimran Singh made 46 and Jitesh Sharma did well for his 41-run knock, PBKS endured a top and middle-order collapse, with the side being reduced to 43/4 inside the powerplay. This led to Curran coming out to bat early, however, the side’s stand-in skipper gave his wicket away rather cheaply in the 10th over.
Just Because He Was Bought For 18 Crores, He Will Win You Matches: Virender Sehwag On Sam Curran
Former India opener Virender Sehwag, who has worked with Punjab Kings – both as player and coach in the past – came down hard at Curran for his lazy running-between-the-wickets.
Curran was run out as he was not accounting for the fielder to hit the stumps directly as he dug out a yorker. But Wanindu Hasaranga fired at the stumps and hit the target directly to send back the PBKS skipper.
“He’s an international player. But you can’t buy experience with 18 crores. It only comes when you play, when your hair turns white as you play under the hot sun. We think just because he was bought for 18 crores, he will win you matches. But he doesn’t have that experience yet. It was poor running, there was no need for that. You’re captain, you should’ve stayed, tried to take it to the final overs. But again, the lack of experience cost him, ,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
PBKS will next face MI at Wankhede on April 22, 2023.