KKR coach: Prithvi’s intent worth emulating

Prithvi Shaw

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Brendon McCullum was hugely disappointed with the KKR batsmen's approach during their seven-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) in Ahmedabad on Thursday. McCullum now wants the KKR batsmen to play with the same intent as DC's Prithvi Shaw. Put in to bat, KKR managed to post 154-6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Brendon McCullum

While chasing, Shaw's attacking innings of 82 which came in just 41 balls (11x4, 3x6) made it a one-sided affair. "What we saw from Prithvi tonight [Thursday] was a perfect template of how we want to play. You're not always going to be able to hit every ball for four or six, but you can have the intent to do so, particularly when you're given a free licence," McCullum said at the post-match virtual press conference on Thursday night.

Shaw dominated the innings right from the first over, bowled by pacer Shivam Mavi, in which he struck six successive fours for KKR to be on the back foot. "I don't think the match was lost in the first over, but it was a huge psychological blow from Prithvi. I have a lot of respect for him because not too many people play the game with that sort of approach. He is a rare talent," added McCullum.