After being benched for six matches, Shaw returned to form with a brilliant half-century against the Punjab Kings, giving a befitting reply to his critics. He notched up his 13th IPL fifty while playing at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Wednesday, 17 May. Shaw scored his fifty in just 36 balls, helping Delhi Capitals get off to a flying start against Shikhar Dhawan’s side.
Shaw’s performance was especially remarkable considering his lackluster start to the season. He had only scored 47 runs in six IPL matches prior to his comeback. But he was able to turn things around and show off his trademark timing on the day, taking on Arshdeep Singh early in the innings.
It wasn’t an easy match for either team, with the ball bouncing a little extra on the lively Dharamshala track in the first few overs. Both Shaw and his teammate David Warner had to face off against Kagiso Rabada in his first over, where the pacer showed some brilliant wicket-to-wicket bowling. But Shaw was able to break out of his shackles when Warner started attacking from the other end, taking on the Punjab Kings pacers with some exquisite timing.
Shaw departed after scoring 54 runs, trying to hook Sam Curran. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get enough distance and placed a catch in the hands of Atharva Taide, who was standing at the edge of the ground at deep fine-leg. Despite his early exit, Shaw’s half-century helped Delhi Capitals secure a much-needed victory.