Delhi Capitals director of cricket Sourav Ganguly recently revealed the team’s strategy behind Prithvi Shaw’s exclusion from the playing XI against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Sourav Ganguly stated that the team decided to open with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.

Prithvi Shaw was omitted from the playing XI in their opening match of IPL 2024 at Mullanpur on Saturday, 23 of March. Many expressed surprise at Shaw’s exclusion, given that he was signed by the team before the mini-auction in December of 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 duo propelled the team to a fast start, adding 39 runs in 19 balls. Marsh scored 20 runs off 12 balls before being dismissed.

Warner smashed two sixes and three boundaries in his 29 off 21 balls. Despite the Capitals’ strong start, they struggled to gain momentum, managing only 174 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Punjab Kings comfortably chased down the target with four wickets in hand.

Prithvi Shaw is an opener – Sourav Ganguly

Speaking on the eve of Delhi Capitals’ second match, Sourav Ganguly explained the decision to open with Mitchell Marsh and David Warner, with the aim of optimizing the team’s batting order for a strong start.

“Prithvi Shaw is an opener. We decided to open with Marsh and Warner and Ricky Bhui is a middle-order batsman. So they bat in different positions. So it’s definitely not Bhui. It’s a different opening combination, they opened for Australia and they’ve done well together. So we decided to do it,” Sourav Ganguly told reporters.

Shaw had a disappointing previous season, managing only 106 runs in eight matches at an average of 13.25. He was released from the team for his lack of impact in the first six games. However, he scored 54 runs off 38 balls against PBKS in his comeback game.

I didn’t get much from Prithvi Shaw in the camp – Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly noted that the Delhi Capitals coaching staff had limited time to work with Prithvi Shaw during the off-season. Ganguly highlighted Shaw’s injury and commitments with Mumbai in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy.

“To be honest, we didn’t get to see much of Prithvi Shaw in the camp. Unfortunately, he was injured for a long time. After he went to England for a season at Northamptonshire, where he played exceptionally well and tore his knee ligament, we weren’t able to sign him until February. After getting back to fitness, he played the Ranji Trophy.”

“I remember we organized a four-day training camp with him but then the NCA announced that he was fit and then he went on to play the Ranji Trophy. You can’t take anyone out of the Ranji Trophy and put him in an IPL camp. And then Mumbai won the tournament and played until the last day of the tournament. He played until the 14th and then joined camp.”

Prithvi Shaw’s successful season in the County Championship was cut short by injury, delaying his return to action until February. Upon his return, he represented Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, where they emerged as champions of the national red-ball tournament.

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