Is Prithvi Shaw the next big thing in Indian cricket?
Delhi Daredevils' young prodigy Prithvi Shaw is making the most out of the chances in IPL 2018. The Under-19 World Cup winning captain gives DD the base needed atop and his aggression has been a successful ploy. 205 runs from five matches is helping Shaw gain attention, as teams now need to come with a plan to stop him. Here we analyze Shaw's rise.
Shaw's stroke-play has been a delight
Two fifties to his name in IPL 2018 with a strike-rate of 170.83, the 18-year-old is playing fearless cricket at the moment. The opener has impressed one and all with his stroke-play and his range of shots attracts one's attention. He has clarity in his head and goes after what's in his direction. Against SRH, he displayed his prowess to hit through the line.
Shaw's choice of shots against SRH shows his strengths
On Saturday against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shaw scored a 36-ball 65 and led the proceedings against bowlers. Sandeep Sharma's good length ball was spanked for a six over mid-on with a lofted drive. His inside-out lofted drive off Shakib Al Hasan showed that even difficult shots are there in his kitty. Reading the length early has been a key attribute.
What does Shaw bring to DD?
DD may be out of reckoning for top four in IPL 2018 but players like Shaw have given them hope to come out stronger. Shaw is a talent that needs to be nurtured and he brings quality atop. He could become Delhi's anchor batsman. Having players like Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, Delhi's future looks bright.
Shaw is a matured cricketer with plenty of promise
According to reports, Delhi Daredevils assistant coach Praveen Amre has said that Shaw's application in first-class cricket shows his maturity level. In 10 first-class matches, he has already hit five hundreds and four fifties at an average of 56.22. He made his first-class debut in 2017 against Tamil Nadu and has never looked back. The ICC U-19 World Cup win helped him.
Quick development for Shaw
In September 2017, Shaw became the youngest cricketer to score a ton in the final of Duleep Trophy. He led the U-19 team brilliantly to lift the 2018 World Cup. He was bought for Rs. 1.2 crore by Delhi Daredevils.
