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Prithvi Shaw finds himself at a critical juncture in his Delhi Capitals career. Once a dependable opener, Shaw's struggle to make it into the Playing XI has raised questions about his future with the team, especially with the IPL 2025 mega auction on the horizon. Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Pravin Amre made it clear that Shaw’s poor form has cost him his spot, emphasizing that performance is paramount in the IPL.
Shaw began the IPL 2024 campaign for DC, playing eight matches and scoring 198 runs. However, his lackluster performance led to his replacement by Abishek Porel, who has excelled in his new role. Porel's two half-centuries and an explosive 36 have solidified his position as an opener, much to the satisfaction of the team management.
“He [Shaw] was our retained player, and as you see, the last four [of five] games he was also on the bench. But that's the IPL. If you are not in form, you can't [keep your place]. Ultimately, the pressure for the team is so much that every game is important and we have to win. And we had done that. Without playing him, we won the games. And whoever got the opportunity... I think Abishek grabbed the opportunities with both hands,” Amre said.
Shaw's struggle with form isn't new. Last season, he played eight games, scoring only 106 runs before a bout of typhoid ended his campaign prematurely. This year, despite a couple of decent knocks—43 and 66 against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians—he couldn't maintain consistency. Porel, who started the tournament in the middle order, capitalized on his opportunity, scoring 159 runs at a strike rate of over 165, and providing DC with explosive starts.
Amre praised Porel's performance, especially in the crucial matches towards the end of the season. “What an innings [Porel] played [against LSG]. We saw Jake [Fraser-McGurk] getting out in the first over and even then we managed to get 73 runs in the powerplay. I think that's what was so critical and the credit goes to Shai Hope and Porel for getting that 92-run partnership today,” Amre added.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, alongside Porel, has also been a standout for DC this season. Opening the innings against Rajasthan Royals, both scored half-centuries, setting the foundation for a match-winning total. Porel’s 58 off 33 balls in DC's final league game against Lucknow Super Giants further cemented his position.
With Porel and Fraser-McGurk, Delhi Capitals may have found a reliable and dangerous young opening pair that promises stability for the future. Amre's comments underscore the team's focus on performance and the harsh realities of professional sports. As the IPL 2024 season progresses, the spotlight remains on Shaw and whether he can reclaim his form and place in the team.
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