‘It’s something every opposition would know’ - Head coach Ricky Ponting opens up on Prithvi Shaw’s struggles against left-arm pace

Delhi Capitals' head coach, Ricky Ponting, confirmed that youngster Prithvi Shaw has some issues tackling left-arm pacers. The former cricketer mentioned that the 23-year-old was in scintillating form in the nets, but in the game against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, April 8, the moving ball bothered him as the opener failed to make any mark. 

Ponting, however, assured that the team management will work with him on the same in order to help him improve. He also mentioned that the Capitals never throw people under the bus for the team’s failure, and he would want the majority of the players to step up every game to bail Delhi out of a difficult situation, as they currently are ninth on the IPL Points Table.

“Probably it was the moving ball that worried him today (Saturday). If any of you guys were at training yesterday (Friday) and watched him bat, he looked like a million dollars. So, his preparation was great. It's probably something we need to think about.

“He's got a poor record now against left-armers, it's something every opposition would know, it's something that we need to work on with him. But as I said we're not going to point fingers at one person, we don't do that at Delhi Capitals. We're all in this together and have to play better as a group of 11-12 to get the results we're after,” the 48-year-old said in the post-match press conference.

Their training has been great, but it hasn't come across in terms of results: Ponting

With three back-to-back defeats, Delhi Capitals are in a tough spot in the ongoing IPL 2023. The batters have failed to make a significant mark in the tournament, while the bowling unit looked pale. Ponting meanwhile revealed that the team is training well but also acknowledged that the results have not followed so far.

“We are a long way off right now. I can't put my finger on why because I watch these boys train and prepare. Their work has been really good, their training has been great, but it hasn't come across in terms of results yet on the field.

If I could put my finger on it, I'd do something to change it. We need to do some more soul-searching as a group and talk about it. Maybe not tonight. I'll just let the guys have a think of it. We may address it the next day, but we need to turn it around pretty quickly. Three games in and no wins…you can't get afford to get off to bad starts in the IPL,” he added.