Irfan Pathan Backs “Hungry” Prithvi Shaw to Open with KL Rahul for Delhi Capitals
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan supports a bold opening combination for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan endorsed Prithvi Shaw to partner veteran KL Rahul at the top of the batting order.
KL Rahul: The “Safest Bank” in the IPL
Pathan dismissed concerns regarding Rahul’s strike rate, focusing instead on his consistency and match-winning capabilities. Delhi Capitals acquired Rahul to bring stability to their top order.
“KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently,” Pathan stated. “He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league. It is just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win the match, you do not need to focus much on that.”
KL Rahul Career IPL Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132 | 4,683 | 45.46 | 134.60 | 132* |
Data sourced from ESPNcricinfo.
Prithvi Shaw’s Opportunity to Bounce Back
Pathan reserved specific praise for Prithvi Shaw, noting that players returning after facing setbacks often carry intense motivation. Shaw provides an aggressive counterweight to Rahul’s anchoring style.
“They got him at a very good price. I think those hungry players who went unsold last year always come with a point to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come to prove a point,” Pathan explained.
While acknowledging Shaw’s determination, Pathan issued a warning about managing expectations. “The hungry players who have gotten dropped are very excited, but along with that, they also put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform. This pressure always leads you towards failure,” he said, advising the young batter to maintain focus without overcomplicating his approach.
Delhi Capitals’ Opening Strategy
The potential partnership offers contrasting approaches to T20 batting:
- KL Rahul: Provides stability, strike rotation, and the ability to bat through the innings.
- Prithvi Shaw: Exploits fielding restrictions in the powerplay with high-risk, high-reward shot execution.
Pathan acknowledged that Delhi possesses other options, such as Abhishek Porel, but emphasized the need for direct communication. “They have the option of Abhishek Porel. But I think they should go with Prithvi Shaw and give him clarity about his role,” he noted.
With the Delhi Capitals preparing for their season opener against the Lucknow Super Giants, the franchise’s management must decide whether to deploy Pathan’s recommended pairing. Rahul enters the season closing in on the 5,000-run milestone, a benchmark achieved by elite players approved by the BCCI, while Shaw looks to reestablish his status as a premier domestic talent.