I Thought 160 Was Good To Defend, But It Was A Close Game: Prithvi Shaw

Delhi Capitals’ opener Prithvi Shaw made a classy fifty against the SunRisers Hyderabad on Sunday in Chennai and roared back to form after a lean couple of games before. Prithvi Shaw’s innings of 53 off 39 balls was as decisive as any other batsman’s knock as it helped the Capitals eke out a win in the super over. The right-handed batsman recognized that the wicket played well before the powerplay and began slowing down.

Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan gave the Delhi Capitals an electric start after they elected to bat first, notching a fifty-run partnership that the rest of the batsmen built on. While Rashid Khan dismissed Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw was unfortunate to depart for a free-flowing fifty as he got involved in a horrible mix-up with Rishabh Pant. Pant and Steve Smith added 58 runs off 42 balls, while the latter’s few hits towards the end set the SunRisers 160 to chase.

Even though Jonny Bairstow looked in ominous form, SunRisers lost David Warner in the fourth over. Bairstow, who unleashed some lusty blows, holed out to mid-on as he tried to clear Shikhar Dhawan for another boundary. The Orange Army’s hopes rested on Kane Williamson to shepherd them over the line; however, he hardly got any support from the other end.

Towards the end, Jagadeesha Suchith delivered two fours and a six to tie the game, with Williamson remaining unbeaten on 66. Williamson also came out to bat in the super over and managed a precious boundary. However, Warner’s lack of those and his failure to ground the bat over the line at the non-striker’s end cost them a run, setting the Capitals eight to win.

It was not easy to score against Rashid: Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw revealed that the pitch played well in the first six overs and slowed down after becoming difficult to score against Rashid Khan. The 21-year old believed that even though it was a close game, 160 felt a good total to defend and did not think that a super over was on the cards nor was present for it. Nevertheless, Shaw knew that Rashid Khan will bowl it for the SunRisers, with Pant and Dhawan opening.

“It was a good wicket in the first six overs and then slowed down a little bit. I felt the wicket was slow and the spinners were bowling well. It was not easy to score against Rashid. I thought 160 was good to defend, but a close game. I’m just doing the stuff that I have worked with. I didn’t think about the Super Over, and I think Axar bowled really well in that Super Over. I wasn’t there [for the Super Over meeting]. I knew Rashid will bowl for sure and Shikhar and Pant will open for sure,” Shaw told in the post-match presentation.

Also Read: Delhi Capitals Bowled Fantastically In The Middle And Brought It Back: David Warner