IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals retain Prithvi Shaw, KKR release Shardul Thakur

In a major development ahead of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it has been reported that the Delhi Capitals franchise have retained Indian opener Prithvi Shaw ahead. Initial reports claimed that the Capitals will release Shaw but it seems the franchise has changed its mind. 

Shaw has currently been recovering from a knee injury that he sustained while playing for Northamptonshire in County cricket. As he recovers, his retention with DC could prove to be good news for the up and coming batter. 

“Yes, he has been retained for IPL-2024 by the Delhi Capitals, He has been recovering at the National Cricket Academy, and should be fit for the Ranji Trophy,” a source was quoted as saying by The Times of India. 

Shaw has been a part of the Capitals since 2018, when he was bought for INR 1.2 crore. However, due to the injury, he has missed several tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Furthermore, the 24-year-old had a forgettable season at the IPL 2023, scoring just 106 runs in eight games at poor average of 13.25 and strike rate of 124.71, with just a solitary half-century in the season. His abysmal season had him attract many critics, and many opined that his time with DC is over. However, the franchise seems to have shown their trust in the youngster.

In his international career, Shaw has played five Tests, six ODIs and a solitary T20I, having managed to amass 528 runs. As for his IPL record, the right-hander has 1694 runs at an impressive strike rate of 145.78 in 71 matches, including 13 half-centuries. He would hope that a good season for Delhi Capitals in the tournament could be his ticket into the international side once again after falling behind in the race due to lack of form and injuries.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders have decided to let go of Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, whom the franchise acquired via a trade in 2023 from Delhi Capitals. At INR 10.75 crore, Thakur remains to date the most expensive traded player in the league's history. However, his underwhelming returns of 113 runs at a poor average of 14.13 and just seven wickets at an unimpressive economy of 10.46 in 11 games meant he has been released by KKR just after one season.