IPL 2020: DC’s Ricky Ponting pleased to see Prithvi Shaw’s growth as a batsman

One of the prime reasons behind the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) dominance in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) has been Prithvi Shaw. After five games, the opener currently has 179 runs at an average and strike-rate of 35.80 and 147.93 respectively. The young right-handed batsman also has a couple of half-centuries, showing that he hasn’t lacked in consistency either.

Following an impressive start, Shaw has conjured praises from Ricky Ponting, the Capitals’ head coach. Ponting, who’s also a two-time World Cup winning Australian captain, said that Shaw’s batting technique has tightened. Ponting put forth his opinions while speaking to cricketer-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen on Star Sports network.

Prithvi Shaw is in super touch, says Ponting

“It was very pleasing today to see Prithvi Shaw, we are starting to see the real class of the top order players in the IPL. He is technically very good; he is very good against fast bowling and spin bowling. He’s got us off to another good start today,” Ponting said.

Ponting was of the opinion that Shaw has made some subtle adjustments to his technique and understands his role in the batting lineup.

“Yeah, he has analysed his game in the last couple of years. His backfoot has gone to leg stump. I do talk to him a little bit but he’s a pretty simple character and you don’t want to overcoach anyone, especially in this sort of format, especially when someone has that sort of talent.

“You don’t want to coach what they have out of them. I think he understands, he has made a few adjustments, where he is probably batting more towards off stumps. That back foot going towards leg side. He is in super touch. He has shown in last couple of days what role he plays for the team,” Ponting added.

On Monday, October, 5 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Shaw looked fluent. He scored 42 off 23 balls with the help of five fours and a couple of sixes. On the back of his knock, the Capitals managed 63 runs in the mandatory powerplay.

He got out in the seventh over while trying to take on fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Shaw scored the fifties against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).