'Doesn't make sense you've got an Indian international player in dugout' - Tom Moody on Delhi Capitals benching Prithvi Shaw

Legendary Australia cricketer Tom Moody has slammed Delhi Capitals' (DC) decision to not include Indian international Prithvi Shaw in their lineup. His comments came shortly after DC's 12-run loss against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 on March 28, Thursday.

Moody asserted that it "doesn't make sense" to not consider Shaw in the lineup. He remarked on the 24-year-old's dismal performance in the previous IPL season but emphasized that he won't be able to contribute from the dugout to the team's success.

"It doesn't make sense due to the fact that you've got an Indian international player (Prithvi Shaw) in the dugout. Yes, he hasn't performed in the IPL like we had all hoped he would, but you can't score runs from the dugout," Moody told ESPNCricinfo.

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With Shaw being omitted from the lineup for DC's first two games, Ricky Bhui was added to the XI. Bhui failed to impress in both games, managing to score 3 and 0, respectively. He was dismissed for a duck courtesy of a well-directed bouncer by Nandre Burger and Moody highlighted the considerable gap between performances in domestic setup and the intensity of international cricket and the IPL. 

"That's exactly what you'd like to see a genuine quick bowler do. 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," the 58-year-old added.

Wasim Jaffer surprised by Prithvi Shaw's omission from Delhi's playing XI

Meanwhile, the former Indian Test opener, Wasim Jaffer, said that he was startled at Prithvi Shaw's exclusion from the Delhi Capitals' playing XI despite retaining him for the IPL 2024 mini-auction.  Moreover, he also pointed out that fitness issues for the young batter were unlikely as he played for Mumbai for most of the recently concluded Ranji Trophy season. 

Also Read: 'We decided to do that' - Sourav Ganguly reveals why Prithvi Shaw didn't play in DC's first game

"Now that they have held onto him and not let him go into the auction, I'm surprised they're not playing him. 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 stated.