Prithvi Shaw has registered his name in the IPL 2025 auction again at a base price of INR 75 Lakhs.
Prithvi Shaw came with massive hype and performed brilliantly in the starting phase of his career. However, he has fallen off a cliff recently, and his performances haven’t been consistent enough with the willow. Further, his off-field disciplinary issues have only exacerbated his case, for Shaw has been involved in multiple controversies.
Consequently, Delhi Capitals (DC) released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, for his last two seasons weren’t convincing. He has registered his name in the auction again at a base price of INR 75 Lakhs. Despite his recent slump, multiple teams will be interested in getting Shaw due to his superior abilities.
Along the same lines, let’s guess five teams who might be interested in Prithvi Shaw during the IPL 2025 auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released several first-choice players, including Venkatesh Iyer and Phil Salt. Hence, they would need a top-order batter to partner with Sunil Narine and be as explosive as Salt last season. That’s where Shaw will fit perfectly, given he offers identical values.
The tracks in Kolkata have been flat, and the run rate in IPL 2024 was 9.76 here. Shaw likes to play his shots, for he is a natural stroke-maker, capable of playing on-the-up shots. Last year, Salt’s role was to provide a brisk start in the powerplay, and Shaw can do that as well.
Leaving out Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks wasn’t an easy decision, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had to take it to remain flexible during the auction. Now they will hunt for a few top-order batters, including an Indian option. The key job would be to find an aggressor who can allow Virat Kohli to take his time.
Shaw can do that role brilliantly, given that’s something he has done his whole career. The ground dimensions of Bengaluru are small, and the pitches have been flat. Shaw will be as perfect as a player can be at the top in the Bengaluru setup.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have a settled opening pair in Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, but there’s still a vacancy at No.3. SRH had Rahul Tripathi for this position but have released him ahead of the auction. Like Tripathi, Shaw can also hit from the first ball and keep the momentum going.
Usually, Shaw opens the innings, but he can be tried at No.3. Last year, batters had the second-best strike rate (166.52) in Hyderabad, showing that the track will remain the same throughout the game. It will be an experiment, but a new role might finally bring the best out of Shaw.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) will go into the auction with the biggest purse and can target anyone they want. Prithvi Shaw can be one of them, given that PBKS have Ricky Ponting, who has previously worked with him at Delhi Capitals (DC). He knows Shaw’s game more than many other coaches.
Further, PBKS require an opener to partner with Prabhsimran Singh. If they get Prithvi Shaw, PBKS will have one of the most dynamic opening pairs in the competition. Generally, the new ball swings in Mullanpur, so Shaw will have to be cautious at the start, but once he goes through that phase, the surface will aid his playing style.
Mumbai Indians (MI) might be among the most interested franchises in Prithvi Shaw, given he is precisely what the five-time champions require. Firstly, MI have released Ishan Kishan and require someone as dynamite as him. Secondly, Wankhede Stadium is Shaw’s home ground, and he knows the conditions inside out.
The surfaces here are bouncy and pacy, so the ball comes nicely on the willow, something Shaw enjoys. MI know how to work on technical faults and bring the best from a young sensation. MI might be the right destination for Shaw to work on all aspects and regain his original form, providing a stable opening partnership to the five-time champions.
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