Prithvi Shaw entered the IPL 2023 with a lot of promise following his prolific run-scoring in domestic tournaments, which included that record-breaking triple-century knock in the Ranji Trophy. Ricky Ponting, the head coach of the Delhi Capitals, had high hopes for the young player.
Shaw, though, has had a disappointing IPL season thus far, hitting just 19 runs in three games. Because of the lack of runs, and in light of DC’s behavior in the previous game, former India head coach Ravi Shastri gave Shaw an ultimatum.
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo before Tuesday’s home game between DC and the Mumbai Indians, Shastri didn’t focus much on Shaw’s statistics but suggested that the star hitter shouldn’t get comfortable playing simply as an impact player. He doesn’t want Shaw to develop the habit of playing only as a hitter and then relaxing in the locker room during the other innings; he wants Shaw to be involved and take part on the pitch even if he doesn’t bowl.
Shastri talks about Prithvi Shaw
“I think a player of his quality and age he wants to be in the thick of things all the time. He should want to and not say I’m happy to be an Imapct Player. It’s not a good sign and it won’t help. I mean he is young. You want him to be part of everything, to be in the mix and contribute with a catch to through fielding, get into good habits there rather than being in the habit of – I’m only going to bat and then feet up in the dressing room. That is not good for a guy at his age,” he said.
Shaw made the starting lineup for Tuesday’s encounter against Mumbai, where he scored 15 runs off of nine deliveries getting out against Hrithik Shokeen in the fourth over trying to sweep the ball.
