Delhi Capitals are playing the IPL 2024 season opener against Punjab Kings in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on March 23, Saturday. Delhi Capitals (DC) made headlines by omitting their star Indian opener, Prithvi Shaw, from playing XI in their first IPL 2024 game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). This unexpected move raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts and sparked discussions about the team’s strategy.

Batting first Delhi Capitals scored 174 runs in 20 overs all thanks to impact player Abhishek Porel, who scored 32 runs in just 10 balls.

Rishabh Pant’s Statement on Prithvi Shaw

Upon returning as captain, Rishabh Pant confirmed Shaw’s exclusion from the playing XI and revealed that the young opener was not even considered a potential ‘Impact Player’ for the match against PBKS at the new Mullanpur Stadium.

See Also: Virat Kohli’s fans are unhappy with Carry Minati, here’s why

Prithvi Shaw’s journey in the IPL has been turbulent, marked by moments of brilliance and inconsistency. His recent performances, particularly in the past two seasons, have been under scrutiny due to a dip in form and productivity.

Implications of Shaw’s Exclusion

Shaw’s omission from the team reflects the management’s concerns over his performance and its impact on the team’s overall strategy. The decision underscores the competitive nature of IPL and the need for players to deliver results consistently.

Netizens’ Response and Speculations

The news of Shaw’s exclusion prompted fans and pundits’ reactions. While some expressed disappointment, others speculated about Shaw’s future with the Delhi Capitals and his prospects for the upcoming seasons. Delhi Capitals’ decision to drop Prithvi Shaw sends a clear message about the team’s priorities and expectations from its players. Netizens wondered if this was a sign of DC team management running out of patience with their faltering opener and that Shaw might consider leaving the team altogether ahead of next year’s mega auction. 

Playing XIs

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh

Punjab Kings Subs: Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Vidhwath Kaverappa

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma

Delhi Capitals Subs: Abishek Porel, Mukesh Kumar, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Vicky Ostwal, Praveen Dubey