Prithvi Shaw's IPL 2024 Season In Danger? Director Of Cricket Sourav Ganguly Provides A Shocking Update

Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket, Sourav Ganguly, recently revealed the team's strategy behind Prithvi Shaw's exclusion from the playing XI against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Sourav Ganguly confirmed that David Warner and Mitchell Marsh will continue to open for the Delhi Capitals. Prithvi Shaw was left out of the playing XI for their first match in Mullanpur on Saturday, March 23. Shaw's exclusion from the team came as a surprise, especially since he was retained before the mini-auction in December last year. The Delhi Capitals opted for an all-Australian duo of Mitchell Marsh and David Warner. This strategic move paid off immediately as the pair added 39 runs in 19 balls, propelling the team to a brisk start. Prithvi Shaw had a disappointing last season, managing only 106 runs in eight matches at an average of 13.25. He was dropped from the team due to his lack of impact in the first six games. However, in his comeback game, he scored 54 runs off 38 balls against the PBKS.

Did not get much of Prithvi Shaw in the camp, says Ganguly 

In a shocking move, the Delhi Capitals benched explosive young opener Prithvi Shaw for their opening game against the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Speaking on the eve of the Delhi Capitals’ second match against Rajasthan Royals, Sourav Ganguly explained the team's decision to open with Mitchell Marsh and David Warner to give the Capitals a solid start in the powerplay.

“Prithvi Shaw is an opener. We decided to open with Marsh and Warner, and Ricky Bhui is a middle-order batter. So they bat at different positions. So it’s actually not Bhui for sure. It’s a different opening combination. They opened for Australia, and they have done well together. So we decided to do that,” Sourav Ganguly said during the pre-match press conference.

The opening combo of Warner and Marsh provided a solid start for DC in their season opener against PBKS. With Prithvi Shaw having a poor IPL 2023, scoring just 106 runs in 8 games, his place in the playing XI is still under question. Ganguly admitted that Shaw's limited preparation time with DC was also a factor in his exclusion. Shaw was out of action for months after suffering a knee ligament injury during a county stint in England last year.

"To be honest, we did not get much of Prithvi Shaw in the camp. Unfortunately, he was injured for a long time. After he went to England for the county stint in Northamptonshire, where he played exceptionally well and tore his ligament in the knee, we couldn’t get him till February. After he came back to fitness, he played Ranji Trophy," Ganguly added.

Prithvi Shaw sustained an injury during his successful County Championship stint, which delayed his return until February. After his return, he played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, where they emerged as champions of the domestic red-ball tournament. Delhi Capitals (DC) will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 9 of IPL 2024 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 28. DC would be looking to end the "home team" trend and get the points on the board.