Prithvi Shaw should open the innings in the second qualifier for DC: Gautam Gambhir

Delhi Capitals (DC) had suffered a disastrous defeat against Mumbai Indians in the 1st Qualifier of the ongoing 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020). Their batting line-up had collapsed and as a result, they lost the game by 57 runs. The Capitals will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a do-or-die match on November 8, Sunday to cement a place in the final of the league.

The main problem for DC has been the poor form of their top-order from the last six games. The power-hitter Prithvi Shaw bagged a duck three times and scored 7, 9, and 10 runs in the remaining three fixtures. On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane has also struggled to contribute with his willow. Though the batsman scored an impressive 60 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last week, he was dismissed for a duck two times in the last six games.

This has given birth to the debate about who between Shaw and Rahane should play alongside Shikhar Dhawan in the top-order for Capitals against the Orange Army. While speaking in a pre-match analysis video chat on ESPNCricinfo, the former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir opined on who between the two batsmen should be picked in the playing XI.

Ajinkya Rahane is not an impactful player: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir reckoned that he would go with Prithvi instead of Rahane as both the batsmen are not in their prime forms and the former has more potential of giving the team the desired start if he stays on the crease for the first 6 overs. Talking about playing Rahane at Number 3, the veteran stated that Ajinkya is not impactful and takes a lot of time to settle.

“I want an impact player on top, especially in a must-win game. I know Prithvi Shaw has not been in good form, but even Ajinkya Rahane is not in supreme form as of now,” Gautam Gambhir said.

“Plus, if you make Rahane bat at no. 3, he is not an impactful player in that position. You can make Rahane open the innings but if I have to choose a player to open the innings between Rahane and Shaw – and look at the bowling line-up, I will go with Shaw and give him one more chance. If he bats for 6 overs, I am sure I will get the start I need,” Gambhir further said.