The Delhi Capitals started their 2021 Indian Premier League season with a phenomenal victory over Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings on the shoulders of some impressive knocks by openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan.

Dhawan looked reinvigorated in the middle of the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and looked in absolute control before his dream-knock came to an abrupt ending thanks to Shardul Thakur trapping him with an LBW appeal in the 17th over, dismissing him at 85 runs off just 54 deliveries. 

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However, it was Shaw’s innings and his comments after the match that had the fans tipping their hats to the young batsman. 

Keeping up with Dhawan’s momentum at the pitch, Shaw made the CSK bowlers look like high-school bowlers and the duo went on to build a 138-run partnership for the first wicket. Blazing and hungry to score as much as he could, Shaw’s blade struck nine 4’s and three 6’s on his way to a 72-run innings off just 38 deliveries. 

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Following the disappointment he faced during India’s tour of Australia, Shaw’s knock on Delhi Capitals’ opening day was supposed to announce his return to the highest level of cricket as one of the top-tier batsmen this game is currently witnessing.

After looking at the consistency and aggression he showed during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in which he led the Mumbai squad to the championship, became the record-holder as the highest scorer in a single season, and the highest scorer in a single innings, Shaw had finally overcome his batting woes in the IPL and played like he is destined to.

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At the end of the massive win, Shaw spoke about what he did to get better ever since getting dropped from the squad following the Adelaide debacle and what his plan of action looks like now. 

“From Australia when I was dropped I was working from there itself,” he revealed to Star Sports after the game. “Coming back and across early, so I practised before going to Vijay Hazare with Pravin Amre and worked on that. I had a good plan before going into that tournament, so it is working quite well,” Shaw said.

With the second ball of the Test! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4VA6RqpZWt

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2020

“I don’t want to think about it because it was a disappointing moment for me but I have to move on and if something is wrong with my batting or technique, I have to improve and I am working hard on myself. No excuses,” he added.

This matured and tough comments made by the youngster has managed to get the attention and respect of the fans:

Thats how Kings return...

Hoping to see him back in India colours soon🥰

— Shantanu Ghosh (@imshantanu105) April 10, 2021

Great comeback.. pic.twitter.com/vWc7t1gNKf

— Srushti P (@srushtibp) April 10, 2021

Spirit

— 🖤 (@_will_win) April 10, 2021

Legends in one frame pic.twitter.com/BW47ZIdFXa

— Nairobi🧡 (@nairobiSrhFan) April 10, 2021

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