Prithvi Shaw, regarded as one of the best emerging prospects after leading India to victory in the U-19 World Cup in 2018, has already had multiple ups and downs in his brief career. Shaw’s outstanding performance on the local circuit earned him a spot on the national squad.
A century on his Test debut against the West Indies drew international notice, and it appeared Shaw was headed for greatness. Shaw, however, dropped off the selectors’ radar due to injuries at the wrong time in his career, followed by a streak of low scores.
Prithvi Shaw got hurt during September, playing cricket in England. He had hurt his ligament, so he missed six months of cricket. After this time away, he came back to cricket during the Ranji Trophy in February. Shaw played for the Mumbai team that won the trophy.
Prithvi Shaw was supposed to play the opening slot in the IPL, but the DC management chose the Warner-Marsh combo, forcing Shaw to sit out.
Team director Sourav Ganguly indicated that they did not have enough time in camp with Shaw and that they preferred the Australian combination to start the event. With DC losing their first two matches, doubts have been raised concerning Shaw’s absence.
Having said that, let us have a look at three potential reasons why removing Prithvi Shaw isn’t the best move:
1. Prithvi Shaw is a fearless striker
Prithvi Shaw’s batting abilities, although not at their best recently, still showcase his exceptional talent. When in form, his elegant stroke play captivates viewers. He possesses the ability to make batting seem effortless. As an opener, Shaw’s attacking prowess allows him to score boundaries with ease and minimal risk.
In the 2021 IPL, Shaw hammered his U19 teammate Shivam Mavi for six boundaries in an over. He had a horrible run last year before being dropped, but it is a new season, and DC management might consider bringing him back following their slow start to the season.
2. Shaw looked in decent touch during the Ranji Trophy
Prithvi Shaw quickly announced his return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy. He struck an impressive 159 against Chhattisgarh. He also hit 87 against Baroda and made some significant contributions in the knockout stage.
Prithvi Shaw would be disappointed to have been omitted from the DC playing XI, given his form against the swinging and spinning red ball. He drove, sliced, and pulled effectively, and while certain mechanical deficiencies were still visible, they should not be a major concern against the white ball. Shaw, a master of the ball, will be trying to make his comeback shortly.
3. A good Indian opener is always a better option than a foreigner
While David Warner and Mitchell Marsh showed themselves as an opening combination during the fifty-over World Cup, having an Indian at the top of the order is usually a safer proposition because Shaw is far more familiar with the conditions here than Marsh.
Shaw replacing Marsh at the top of the order offers the Capitals plenty of alternatives in the middle of the lineup. The Australians can bat down the order, and the Capitals can modify the lineup as well.
It provides up a lot of options for Delhi, and with Prithvi as a flamboyant strokeplayer, it should bode well for a squad that has lost its opening two matches.
