The Delhi Capitals‘ (DC) decision to exclude Indian opener Prithvi Shaw from their starting lineup for the first two matches of the 2024 IPL season has raised eyebrows amongst cricket pundits. Following DC’s 12-run defeat against the Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, Tom Moody and Wasim Jaffer, former Australian cricketer and Indian batsman respectively, voiced their concerns about the team’s strategy.
Moody: “You Can’t Score Runs from the Dugout”
Tom Moody, speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the match, questioned the logic behind Shaw’s omission. “It doesn’t make sense due to the fact that you’ve got an Indian international player (Prithvi Shaw) in the dugout,” he stated.
While acknowledging Shaw’s struggles in the previous IPL season, Moody emphasized the importance of fielding their strongest possible XI. “Yes, he hasn’t performed in the IPL like we had all hoped he would, but you can’t score runs from the dugout,” he pointed out.
Bhui’s Underwhelming Performance Highlights the Gap
The decision to bench Shaw becomes even more perplexing in light of the struggles of his replacement, Ricky Bhui. Bhui, who was included in the playing XI for both matches, managed scores of just 3 and 0. Notably, his dismissal in the second match came courtesy of a well-directed bouncer by Rajasthan Royals’ Nandre Burger.
Commenting on Bhui’s dismissal, Moody highlighted the significant difference in intensity between domestic cricket and the IPL. “That’s exactly what you’d like to see a genuine quick bowler do,” Moody said. “And to do it to a top-order player is even more alarming. What it does also is highlight the jump between Ranji Trophy runs to international cricket and IPL,” he added.
Jaffer Expresses Surprise at Shaw’s Exclusion
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer echoed Moody’s concerns. Jaffer expressed his surprise at Shaw’s omission, especially since the Delhi Capitals retained him during the IPL 2024 mini-auction. “Now that they have held onto him and not let him go into the auction, I’m surprised they’re not playing him,” Jaffer said.
He further emphasized that Shaw’s fitness shouldn’t be a concern, considering his participation in most of the recently concluded Ranji Trophy season for Mumbai. “He’s played for Mumbai for most of the season, so you’d imagine that he’s fit. I’m surprised. Punishing him and then losing the games is not the way to go forward,” Jaffer concluded.
Fan Reactions and DC’s Next Move
The decision to bench Shaw has sparked debate among fans as well. Many fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the team management’s strategy. With two losses in their first two matches, the pressure is mounting on the Delhi Capitals to find a winning combination. Whether they will reconsider their stance and include Shaw in the playing XI for their upcoming matches remains to be seen.
The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Delhi Capitals’ campaign in the IPL 2024 season. The team’s batting has looked fragile so far, and including an in-form Prithvi Shaw could provide a much-needed boost. The decision to persist with Shaw or explore other options will be a key factor in determining the Delhi Capitals’ fortunes in the tournament.
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