The director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals Sourav Ganguly has finally given his opinion on not to open with Prithvi Shaw and instead opt for an all-Australian opening combination in the initial stages of IPL 2024.
In their season opener against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, Mitchell Marsh partnered with David Warner at the top of the order. Many were taken aback by the decision to exclude Prithvi Shaw from the playing XI, especially considering he had been retained in the side ahead of the mini-auction in December.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, who have been opening the batting for Australia in T20Is, had an immediate impact as Delhi Capitals got off to a strong start against Punjab Kings on Saturday, scoring 39 runs in just 19 balls.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, who usually open the batting for Australia in T20Is, quickly adjusted as the openers for Delhi Capitals as well. They helped the team achieve a strong start against Punjab Kings on Saturday, scoring 39 runs in just 19 balls.
Highlighting the significance of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh’s expertise in opening, Sourav Ganguly mentioned that Prithvi Shaw is still in consideration, but his strengths are better suited for the top order.
While speaking in a press conference on the eve of the Delhi Capitals match against Rajasthan Royals, Sourav Ganguly said, “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 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.”
He further added, “I remember we set up a four-day training camp with him, but then, the NCA announced him fit and then he went on to play Ranji Trophy. You can’t take anybody away from the Ranji Trophy and put in an IPL camp. And then Mumbai won the tournament, and he played till the last day of the tournament. He played till 14th and then joined the camp. So I honestly didn’t get Prithvi. But, got a lot of others, Khaleel, Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Ishant Sharma, we got them together for a couple of times. We only had that much time to work with them.”
