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

In a surprise move, Delhi Capitals (DC) decided to bench explosive young opener Prithvi Shaw for their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 opening game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The decision raised eyebrows, but DC's director of cricket Sourav Ganguly provided the reason behind the call.

Instead of the expected opening pair of Shaw and left-hander David Warner, DC opted to open with the Australian duo of Warner and Mitchell Marsh. Ganguly explained that they went for this combination as Marsh and Warner have had success opening together for Australia in white-ball cricket. He also stated that young Ricky Bhui was preferred over Shaw for the middle order.

“Prithvi Shaw is an opener. We decided to open with Marsh and Warner, and Ricky Bhui is a middle-order batter. So they bat at different positions. So it's not Bhui for sure. It's a different opening combination, they opened for Australia, and they have done well together. So we decided to do that,” Ganguly told during a pre-match conference, as quoted by India Today.

Also read: DC's Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly puts light on team's preparedness for RR clash

Did not get much of Prithvi Shaw in the camp: Ganguly 

Ganguly admitted that Shaw's lack of preparation time with DC also factored into the decision to leave him out.  Notably, Shaw had suffered a knee ligament injury during a county stint in England last year and was out of action for months.

“To be honest, we did not get much of Prithvi Shaw in the camp,” Ganguly noted.

“Unfortunately, he was injured for a long time. After he went to England for the county stint in Northamptonshire where he played exceptionally well and tore his ligament in the knee, we couldn't get him till February. After he came back to fitness, he played Ranji Trophy,” the ex-India captain further added.

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The Warner-Marsh opening combo provided a solid start for DC, but their innings fizzled out. With Shaw having a poor IPL 2023, scoring just 106 runs in 8 games, his place in the playing XI is still under question. DC will play Rajasthan Royals in their next encounter after facing a defeat in their opening game against PBKS.

“You can't take anybody away from the Ranji Trophy and put them in an IPL camp. And then Mumbai won the tournament, and he played till the last day of the tournament,” the Kolkata-born concluded.