'He's 50/50, we'll know in a few days' - Rishabh Pant on Prithvi Shaw's availability

Delhi Capitals have gone a step closer to a place in the IPL 2022 playoffs with an emphatic 17-run win over Punjab Kings on Monday (May 16). This triumph propelled DC to the fourth place in the team standings and as their net run rate is on the positive side, a win against Mumbai Indians in their last league-stage fixture is likely to see them end in the top four.

With the crucial matches approaching, DC would want their players to be fit and in form. Following the game against PBKS, DC skipper Rishabh Pant was asked about the fitness status of Prithvi Shaw, who had missed the last few games due to typhoid. Although the opener was discharged before the PBKS clash, he didn’t find a place in the playing XI.

DC would want Prithvi Shaw’s availability for playoff matches

“I think he’s 50/50. We’ll know in a few days’ time,” said Pant, on Shaw’s availability. Meanwhile, in Shaw’s absence, DC tried KS Bharat as an opener alongside David Warner but that move didn’t pay much dividends. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan opened the innings against PBKS and scored a fiery 16-ball 32. However, he’s expected to make way for Shaw once the latter regains fitness.

Meanwhile, this is the first time DC has won successive games this season. The track was on the slower side as DC were restricted to a paltry 159/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Mitchell Marsh was the major contributor with the bat as he scored 63 runs. PBKS’ chase was derailed by spin twins Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs. Pacer Shardul Thakur finished with a four-for as PBKS fell short by a fair margin.

“Throughout the tournament, we have been losing one and winning one game. That’s something we wanted to change as a team and we got it,” stated Pant after the game. Meanwhile, DC’s last league-stage game is against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday (May 21). It would be a virtual knockout clash for Rishabh Pant’s men and they must leave no stone unturned to emerge victoriously.