In a big call, Delhi Capitals dropped their Indian opener Prithvi Shaw from their opening match of the IPL 2024 season against Punjab Kings on Saturday at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium (PCA) in Mullanpur.
The 24-year-old opener struggled to get going last season and there were a few eyebrows raised when he was retained ahead of the auction last year.
Rishabh Pant led the team for the first time since IPL 2022 as there was a huge round of cheers for the comeback man, who returned to action for the first time since revoering from his near-fatal car accident. | IPL 2024, DC vs PBKS LIve Updates | Scorecard |
Prithvi Shaw managed just 108 runs in 8 matches for Delhi Capitals and was not in the best of forms in the lead-up to the IPL 2024 season. However, Prithvi was in good form for Mumbai in their victorious campaign in Ranji Trophy, scoring 451 runs in 9 matches at an average of 50.11. However, after a big knock of 159, Shaw saw a series of not-so-impressive scores.
On the other hand, West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope made his IPLdebut on Saturday for Delhi Capitals as the former finalists took on Punjab Kings in the newly-built stadium in Mullanpur. Delhi Capitals picked Shai Hope ahead of Australia’s new big-hitting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was roped in as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who was cheering for Punjab Kings, his former side, was thrilled for Shai Hope who got a much-deserved IPL debut after a long wait. Speaking to the official broadcasters, Gayle said he would want Hope to open the batting along with David Warner for the Delhi Capitals on Saturday.