Best Innings of Prithvi Shaw in IPL
Back in 2018, when Delhi Capitals spent INR 1.7 crores for Prithvi Shaw, many saw it as a bargain. He was the ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning skipper, who in that particular tournament, looked outrageously stunning. Praises knew no bounds and even comparisons with master blaster Sachin Tendulkar‘s technique was also on the headlines.
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A couple of years down the line, though Shaw has grown as a cricketer and has proven his talent time and again in the big stages, his career hasn’t progressed as rapidly and some expected it would. Shaw could have done little about it, as controversies surrounded in all the time. He was also banned temporarily for violating doping restrictions. But now, he is looking to redeem himself as he fights for an opening slot at Delhi Capitals, who now have the services of Ajinkya Rahane.
Let us have a look at ‘Top 5 innings of Prithvi Shaw in IPL’:
5. 45 (25) vs Rajasthan Royals
Though Shaw did not get too many opportunities in 2018, he was instrumental whenever a chance came his way. Hence, three mentions on our list of ‘Top 5 innings of Prithvi Shaw in IPL’, are from the 2018 season. The first of those is the match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.
Shaw’s opening partner Colin Munro was dismissed for a golden duck. But he and Shreyas Iyer steadily crawled Delhi back into the game, and then went all guns blazing. While Iyer scored 50 from 35 balls, Shaw chipped in with a 45 from just 25 deliveries. He struck four boundaries and as many sixes in the process.
4. 56 (38) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
The last season was when Shaw found his place in the Delhi Capitals completely secured. The next mention on our list is from the game between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad from last season. This tie at the ACA-VDCA Stadium was immensely crucial, as it was the eliminator.
Batting first, Hyderabad scored a competitive 162. Shaw started the run chase on the front foot from the very first delivery, and played a match-winning knock. He scored 56 runs from 38 balls, which included six boundaries and two sixes. His innings helped Delhi get into the driver’s seat, and post his dismissal, Rishabh Pant and Colin Munro steered them home.
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3. 62 (44) vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Perhaps Shaw’s favourite IPL team to face is KKR, for two mentions on this list of ‘Top 5 innings of Prithvi Shaw in IPL’ are matches between Shahrukh Khan’s side and Delhi Capitals. In this particular 2018 game at the Arun Jaitley, Delhi batted first and had a dream-like start.
Both Colin Munro and Shaw started off in fifth gear, which kept KKR at the back-foot. Even after getting Munro out right at the end of powerplay, Shaw kept going. This time, he found another partner in Shreyas Iyer, who also started off in fifth gear. Shaw scored 62 runs from 44 deliveries in this game, 40 of which came solely from fours and sixes.
2. 65 (36) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
If not the men in purple and gold, the Orange Army is certainly Shaw’s favourite team to face. They are twice mentioned in this list as well. This is another 2018 game, which took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Batting first, Delhi lost Glenn Maxwell in the second over. Once again, it was the same partnership of Shaw and Iyer which helped Delhi crawl back into the game. Shaw played another quick-fire knock of 65 runs from just 36 deliveries. His innings helped Delhi cross the 160-run mark, but unfortunately for them, Alex Hales played an impressive knock for Hyderabad to guide them home.
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1. 99 (55) vs Kolkata Knight Riders
If ‘missing something by a hair’s breadth’ needs to be defined with an example, one should perhaps cite the example of Shaw’s knock against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Batting first, Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik‘s explosives helped KKR score 185 runs.
Delhi faltered early in the run chase as they lost the dependable Shikhar Dhawan in only the third over. As we have already established the pattern, here again, it was duly followed. For the umpteenth time, it was a partnership between Shaw and Iyer which saved Delhi’s boat from sinking. The youngest in their batting unit, Shaw looked the most experienced as he scored a mammoth 99. Though he missed his century by a whisker, Delhi manage to tie the scores, and then eventually win it in super over.
