Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Ricky Ponting is optimistic about the performance of Prithvi Shaw, their opening batsman, in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Ponting expressed that he has been impressed by Shaw’s work ethic and has high hopes for the young cricketer, earmarking him for a breakthrough season this year.
Shaw has a healthy IPL record, having scored 1588 runs in 63 games with a strike rate of 147.25. However, his performance was underwhelming last season, scoring only 283 runs in ten matches at an average of 28.30, which he will be keen to improve upon.
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In a press conference in Delhi on Friday (March 24), Ponting stated that he has noticed a different level of intensity in Shaw’s eyes, which suggests that the player is hungrier than ever before. Ponting revealed that Shaw has trained harder than he has ever seen before, and his physical shape is better than ever before.
Ponting is optimistic that this will be Shaw’s biggest IPL season yet, stating that he has the talent and ability to perform at a high level. He expects to see the ‘real Prithvi Shaw’ in action during the IPL 2023 season. Shaw is likely to open the innings with David Warner.
Ponting also stressed the importance of players’ personal lives, indicating that he wants to help players become better people, as well as better players. He believes that if a player’s personal life is in order, they will be better equipped to perform well on the field.
Delhi Capitals (DC) will begin their IPL 2023 campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow on April 1.