As Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare to battle with Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday (November 5) to book a spot in the IPL 2020 final, the DC camp would be certainly in the dilemma of who they should open their innings against the pace battery of Trent Boult & Jasprit Bumrah in Dubai.
While Shikhar Dhawan has been excellent with the for DC except the last few outings, while his opening partner Prithvi Shaw has failed to live up to exactions in the ongoing IPL 2020 – which is raising the possibilities of Delhi batsman of having a new opening partner for Qualifier 1 against MI.
It is being said that all-rounder Marcus Stoinis could open with Dhawan against MI on Thursday as the Capitals support staff has considered his name at the top especially after Shaw proved to be a big flop scoring just 30 runs in his last six innings.
Ahead of the crucial Qualifier 1 in Dubai, the reports emerged that Dhawan himself has suggested Stoinis’ name as his opening partner, however, the opener has insisted that he hasn’t been told who will be an opening partner but he doesn’t mind opening with anyone including Australia all-rounder.
The experienced batsman also suggested Shaw stay calm and stay positive while advising him to not take his string of low scores in the IPL 13 too seriously.
Dhawan told media from UAE, “Prithvi is timing the ball nicely, he hit a few boundaries and the ball was traveling well from his bat. My advice to him would be to stay calm and stay positive. These things happen to everyone, it is nothing new, neither this is the first time it is happening nor it will be the last time. I would suggest he stays positive, believes in his ability, stays calm, and in rhythm.”
He signed off by saying, “I think the support staff thought about it [Stoinis's name] but they didn't discuss it with me that much. If I get the opportunity to open with him, for sure it'll be great. But both Stoinis and I share great chemistry, we joke a lot, so it will be good fun.”
(With IANS Inputs)
