IPL 2021: Great to see Prithvi Shaw play with so much freedom – VVS Laxman

Former Indian opener and now a cricket commentator VVS Laxman has heaped praise on Prithvi Shaw. Laxman stated that it is great to see Prithvi Shaw play with so much freedom. Shaw was able to hit the ground running in the team opening match against Chennai Super Kings as he scored a blistering knock of 78 runs off just 38 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes.

Meanwhile, Shaw was found wanting on tour Down Under as he struggled in the first Test match against the hosts. There was no foot movement from Shaw and he was bowled in both the innings of the opening Test.

As expected, he was dropped from the final XI as Shubman Gill received his chance. However, Shaw has been able to turn the tables in the last couple of months. Shaw revealed that he worked hard with coach Pravin Amre before the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the results were fruitful for him.

Shaw ended up scoring 827 runs in the eight matches of the Vijay Hazare trophy, including four hundred, out of which three were the big ones. The right-hander scored his runs at an impeccable average of 165.40 and a blistering strike rate of 138.29.

Furthermore, Shaw also broke Mayank Agarwal’s record of scoring most runs in the Vijay Hazare trophy as the latter had scored 723 runs in the 2018 edition.

“It was great to see Prithvi Shaw play with so much freedom in the second match. The volume of runs and the way he made them; suggest he is hurting from losing his place in the Indian team. That’s great to see from a youngster who has so much cricket ahead of him,” Laxman wrote for Times of India. 

On the other hand, Laxman heaped praise on Harshal Patel, who scalped a five-wicket haul in the opening match. Patel became the first bowler in the IPL history to take a fifer against Mumbai Indians. The right-arm medium pacer was able to use the slower balls with guile and also hit the blockhole consistently.

Laxman added, “Season 14 of the IPL could not have asked for a better start. Defending champions Mumbai Indians and star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore went toe-to-toe in the opener, the latter prevailing in a last-ball thriller. Harshal Patel was the star with his five-for, the perfect illustration of what the tournament intends to achieve.” 

“The IPL is a platform where talent meets opportunity. Harshal has been around for a while now, but performances like these on this stage do wonders for your confidence.”

DC will play their next match against Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 15th April.