The new season of the IPL is just 5 days away and all 10 franchises are in preparation mode for the same.
Additionally, the first game of the season is going to be kickstarted by champions Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings.
Meanwhile, in the Delhi Capitals camp, one player is getting a lot of attention even before the start of the season.
It is none other than Prithvi Shaw. The Delhi Capitals opener is giving it his all in fitness and net sessions.
Moreover, Shaw has played in five IPL editions so far and his best one was in 2021 where he scored 479 runs with an average of 31.93 and a strike rate of 159.14.
Although his overall average in the IPL is just 25.21, he still maintains a decent strike rate of 150.
Despite not performing well last year, Delhi Capitals still decided to retain him in the IPL auction.
Moreover, Shaw had a prolific 2022-23 season in the domestic circuit, where he was consistent with the bat in hand.
He scored against India A, West Zone, and Mumbai. Along with this he also hit big tons in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.
Furthermore, he was also included in the T20I squad of India in January but remained benched throughout the series.
Additionally, Shaw has also hit the second-highest individual score in Ranji Trophy as he scored 379 off 383 balls.
Unfortunately, when things were looking better for him, he got involved in another controversy involving selfies and his friend’s car. The case is currently under investigation.
Ricky Ponting calls Shaw a fine player; says he is working on him constantly
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals’ head coach, Ricky Ponting is pretty impressed with Shaw’s discipline for the upcoming season of the IPL.
He says that Shaw is looking better and fitter than ever for this season of the IPL. Says Ponting,
It’s well documented that I had some issues early on, but it’s all about just being true to yourself and wanting to be the best that you can be. The one thing that I always say to our players is I don’t like guys not utilizing the talent that they’ve got. That’s one thing I always say.
Furthermore, Ponting also feels that there is not better batsman than Shaw in the current squad.
And so that’s then my job as a coach. If I can see that guys aren’t working as hard as they should, they’re not getting the most out of them, then it’s up to me to try and change that. So, you know, it just seems to me that this season, though, something has really clicked in Prithvi. He seems to be in a better space than ever before.
Adds Ponting,
He’s trained harder and better than I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty sure leading into an IPL, he is in better physical shape than I’ve ever seen him before. And I spoke to him the other day about his attitude and the way that he’s working and how things are going. I honestly feel that this is going to be his biggest season ever in the IPL.
Delhi Capitals are going to play their first game on the 1st of April against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow.
In the absence of regular skipper, Rishabh Pant, David Warner has been named skipper while Axar Patel is the vice-captain.
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