I honestly feel that this is going to be his biggest season ever in the IPL: Ricky Ponting

Prithvi Shaw is one of the most flamboyant batters when he gets going and this surely makes him one of the most exciting openers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shaw has featured in five IPL editions so far for the Delhi Capitals franchise, whereby season 2021 turned out to be his best so far. He clobbered 479 runs with a decent average of 31.93, along with an emphatic strike rate of 159.14.

However, his overall average in the cricket carnival is just 25.21 with a decent strike rate still close to 150. Surprisingly, team Delhi still backed Shaw despite overall poor returns by retaining him in the 2022 edition of the IPL auctions. Now speaking of his last one-and-a-half-year journey, Shaw’s career has been like a see-shaw affecting his National aspirations in the limited overs cricket for the opening slot plagued with fitness issues.

Albeit, the 23-year-old, showed his batting prowess in the 2022-23 season of the domestic circuit. Shaw racked up consistent scores against the likes of India A, West Zone, and Mumbai. Moreover, the Thane-born batter scored big centuries in the coveted Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Duleep Trophy as well along with Ranji Trophy. Consequently, he was included in the T20I squad of team India back in January. Though, he remained benched through the series. Notably, Prithvi Shaw notched up the second-highest individual score in the history of the Ranji Trophy against Assam with his gigantic knock of 379 runs off  383 balls.

Just when things are looking on the brighter side, the dashing Mumbai batter hit the headlines due to a controversy which involved selfies and his friend’s car. Though, the matter is being handled by the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals’ head coach, Ricky Ponting is seemingly impressed with Prithvi Shaw. Ponting found Shaw hungry for runs as the 23-year-old has been training hard not only on his game but also on his fitness. The Australian legend did not mince any words further by stating that he cannot stand a lethargic attitude when he is working with players on the field, irrespective of the happenings with a player off the field. Ponting is seemingly happy with Shaw’s overall batting efforts.

“It’s well documented that I had some issues early on, but it’s all about just being true to yourself and wanting to be the best that you can be,” Ponting said. “The one thing that I always say to our players is I don’t like laziness and I don’t like guys not utilising the talent that they’ve got. That’s one thing I always say,” said Ponting as per ESPN Cricinfo.

Something has really clicked in Prithvi: Ricky Ponting

Interestingly enough, the former world champion Australian, Ricky Ponting, donned the head coach’s hat with the Delhi Capitals in 2021. Thereafter, Ponting has closely worked with Shaw on this batting. As per his experience thus far, the Aussie felt that there was no batter as talented as the Delhi opener.