A player like Prithvi, not just fall out of a tree: Watson

Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Shane Watson has backed out-of-form Prithvi Shaw to come good at some stage in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The right-handed opener has only managed 34 runs in five innings, with the highest score of 15.

Shaw has mostly been used as the impact player but has looked completely out of place in this year’s IPL. Against Bangalore on Saturday, Shaw was run-out without even opening his account as Delhi registered their fifth straight defeat.

"Prithvi came off after sitting for 20 overs until the impact player rules came in. Otherwise, he would be out there running around ready to take off and run that a little bit faster,” said Watson. 

“Prithvi is as skilled as any other batter in India. And everyone has seen that from the time he made his Test debut. The biggest thing for him is just to be able to allow himself to access the skills with no fear of making a mistake or getting out.

“He can take down the best bowlers in the world and in all conditions. A player like Prithvi, not just fall out of a tree.”

Delhi are the only side who are yet to a win game this season. They managed to restrict Bangalore to 174 at the Chinnaswamy but could only manage 151 in response. The DC batting unit has struggled throughout this season, with David Warner, Axar Patel and Manish Pandey being the only ones amongst runs.

"Unfortunately, we were not able to put together good batting innings. Our biggest issue at this point in time is losing wickets in the first six overs and then consistently losing wickets,” added Watson. 

“We were not able to put a partnership together and get some momentum, especially on a ground like Chinnaswamy, if you can set a platform here you can score a lot of runs in the last 10 overs.

“We just are not executing well enough with the bat to be able to get through with the best bowlers with a brand-new ball. We are working with individuals but right now just the way they are executing is not going as per the plan. They are not getting through the first 10-15 balls to be able to set a platform for their own innings”

The Capitals are next scheduled to take on Kolkata Knight Riders on March 28.