'If you are not in form, you can't keep your place' - Pravin Amre on Prithvi Shaw's exclusion

In the wake of a closely-contested 19-run triumph for the Delhi Capitals in their final league encounter of IPL 2024, assistant coach Pravin Amre addressed Prithvi Shaw's absence from the team in four of the previous five matches. He explained that Shaw's exclusion, despite him being retained from previous season, showcased the IPL's dynamic character and frequent lineup alterations. Amre stressed that in such a fiercely competitive tournament, players cannot secure guaranteed spots if their form dips, considering the intense pressure and importance of each match.

"He [Shaw] was our retained played, and as you see, last four [of five] games, he was also on the bench. But that's the IPL. If you are not in form, you can't [keep your place]. Ultimately, the pressure for the team is so much that every game is important and we have to win," Amre said after DC's 19-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants in their last league game of the season.

Amre rationalised Shaw's exclusion for Abishek Porel, who cashed in on the chances provided, by pointing out the team's effectiveness in winning matches and performing satisfactorily even without Shaw's inclusion.

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"And we had done that. Without playing him, we won games. And whoever got the opportunity... I think Abishek grabbed the opportunities with both hands," added Amre. 

Despite starting the season well with scores of 43 and 66 in the initial matches, Shaw struggled to maintain his form. After managing 32 (22) against LSG in the reverse fixture, he recorded scores of 7, 16, 11, 22, and 13, leading to his replacement by Porel, who has been in fine form with 327 runs in 12 innings.

The assistant coach also praised the 49-ball 92-run partnership for the second wicket, especially after the young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk fell for a silver duck. He credited both the batters, with particular emphasis on Porel, for adding 73 runs in the powerplay between the two.

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"What an innings [Porel] played today. We saw Jake [Fraser-McGurk] getting out in the first over and even then we managed to get 73 runs in the powerplay. I think that's what was so critical and the credit goes to Shai Hope and Porel for getting that 92-run partnership today," added Amre.