Rishi Dhawan, first in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2016, caught the attention of fans and pundits in Match 38 when Punjab Kings (PBKS) faced Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday . † While bowling, the all-rounder was seen wearing a protective face shield which got a lot of backlash from Twitter as fans tried to figure out the reason. The reason Dhawan wore protective face gear is because of an injury he sustained in the Ranji Trophy before IPL 2022 started. The 32-year-old was hit during the second round of matches and was also taken to hospital for scans. Dhawan has surgery after being hit and wears the mask while bowling. As a result, he also missed the first four matches for Punjab and was also seen with his mask in the nets.
Speaking recently via PBKS’s social media, “I’m making an IPL comeback after 4 years so it was a little daunting when I got injured in the Ranji Trophy. I had to have surgery that put me out of the first four games but I’m all right and now available for selection. I’ve trained hard and hope for a strong comeback.”
What could be more dangerous than a lion? #SherSquadTune in to this video to find out the reason behind it @rishid100‘s initial absence and how he is now all set for a roaring comeback #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2022 † #RishiDhawan pic.twitter.com/mnKKULSSrz
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) Apr 24, 2022
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer took to Twitter to give his thoughts on the development. He wrote: “Rayudu is hitting even more aggressive tonight. Rishi Dhawan’s glasses may have reminded him of something #PBKSvCSK #IPL2022”
Rayudu strikes even more aggressively tonight. Rishi Dhawan’s glasses may have reminded him of something #PBKSvCSK #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/J9teFyaDO2
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) Apr 25, 2022
Another user wrote: “Rishi Dhawan is the man of firsts. He is the first bowler to wear a protective mask in #IPL. As @venkatatweets shared, he was hit on the head during the Ranji Trophy during the Ranji Trophy. It should be normal now because I’ve seen a lot of bowlers hit in the follow-up.”
Rishi Dhawan is the man of firsts. He is the first bowler to wear a protective mask in #IPL† if @venkatatweets said he was hit on the head during the Ranji Trophy. It should be normal now as I’ve seen a lot of bowlers hit in the follow through pic.twitter.com/jPDZLJdu07
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) Apr 25, 2022
“Rishi Dhawan suffered an injury during the Ranji Trophy and made a great comeback in his first match in #IPL2022,” said another.
Rishi Dhawan suffered an injury during the Ranji Trophy and made a great comeback in his first match in #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/Wh4s7744R2
— John. (@CricCrazyJohns) Apr 25, 2022
Also, Dhawan’s last match in the IPL was for PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab) and he was landed by the franchise this year in the mega auction for Rs 55 lakh.
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