‘I think Prithvi Shaw is ready to play for India’ – Sourav Ganguly feels that Delhi Capitals’ opener is being watched from close quarters

Sourav Ganguly and Prithvi Shaw. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former India skipper and BCCI chief, Sourav Ganguly, believes that the former Indian opener, Prithvi Shaw is ready to play for the Indian senior team yet again. With the ODI World Cup in India likely to be played in October-November 2023, all including the Indian team selectors will be focusing more on the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The 16th edition of the IPL will begin on March 31, with the clash between defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Apart from the domestic circuit, the selection of the players in the remaining ODIs ahead of the 50-over World Cup will also factor in the players’ performances in the IPL as well. Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president and current Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals (DC), Ganguly opined that having rhythm is vital once a player like Shaw is in his rhythm and ready to explode at the bigger stage.

Ganguly reckoned that Prithvi Shaw is ready to play for India. Furthermore, he stressed that Team India selectors and skipper Rohit Sharma will be watching the DC batter from close quarters. The 50-year-old also said that Shaw is a good player.

“I think Prithvi Shaw is ready to play for India. Whether he gets an opportunity will depend on the slots. I am sure Rohit Sharma and the selectors have a close eye on him. He is a good player and ready,” Ganguly told the Times of India.

Bold prediction by Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting on Shaw

Just ahead of the upcoming 2023 edition of the IPL, even the DC Head coach, Ricky Ponting, backed Prithvi Shaw to make a massive impact for his side. As per Ponting, Shaw is probably in the best shape and attitude of his life. Moreover, the Australian legend feels that the Mumbai-born will have the biggest season of his IPL career.

Interestingly enough, Shaw was included in the Indian squad back in January, though, he remained benched throughout the series. Speaking of his T20I career so far, Prithvi Shaw made his debut for India against Sri Lanka in 2021, which was the last time, he played for India. He was supposed to be included in the squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand at home. But the BCCI picked opener, Shubman Gill, instead of him. Apart from the T20Is, the 23-year-old has also played five Tests, and six ODIs, scoring 339 and 189 runs, respectively.

Prithvi Shaw joined the former franchise Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2018 IPL. He became the youngest player to open the batting in the history of the IPL at the age of 18 years and 165 days. He made history during Delhi Daredevils’ against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Delhi Capitals open their 2023 IPL campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

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