'I'm totally fine and available for selection now' - Rishi Dhawan returns to PBKS after a successful surgery

Punjab Kings will be up against the Chennai Super Kings for their next encounter of the IPL 2022 on Monday (April 25) evening. The team is going through a tough time having suffered two back-to-back losses, one against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the other against the Delhi Capitals.

After a humiliating loss against DC, PBKS will look to bounce back in their upcoming game. What comes as a piece of good news for the team, and the fans is that the pace-bowling all-rounder Rishi Dhawan has recovered from his injury, and has hit the nets for the practice session. The 32-year-old is available for selection after undergoing surgery for the injury that he suffered during Ranji Trophy.

He has played for PBKS before in four IPL seasons and is also making a comeback into the IPL, again with the same franchise. The Punjab Kings shared a video of the player returning to the camp as he shared some of his fond memories with the team.

“I am making an IPL comeback after 4 years so it was a little disheartening when I got injured in the Ranji Trophy. I had to go through surgery which ruled me out of the first four matches, but I’m totally fine and available for selection now. I’ve been training hard and hope to have a strong comeback,” he announced in the video.

Rishi Dhawan eyes to make a remarkable comeback this season

Rishi Dhawan last played an IPL match in 2016, and during his tenure with the Punjab Kings, he was part of the squad when the team made its way into the finals in 2014, but unfortunately lost against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The last time Dhawan played an IPL match, it was for the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and will be continuing his stint after a long break.

“It was absolutely a low phase for me because, I’d worked so hard to make a comeback and I finally got a chance in the IPL after 4 years. I performed well in domestic cricket. I tried continuously for 3-4 years to make a comeback so I was a little scared wondering whether I’d miss out on playing due to my injury.

“But this happens in cricket. Sometimes we’re happy and other times we’re sad. My experience has helped me realize that there will be ups and downs,” Dhawan added. The all-rounder is positive about making a mark at the IPL this season and says that he will utilize the opportunity to his best.

“I had kept myself mentally strong thinking that I would overcome this and make a good comeback. Everything’s gone well so far. I’ve missed four games but I hope that I prove myself whenever I get the chance and try to make a good comeback,” he concluded.