Pathum Nissanka fails at IPL debut — Delhi Capitals’ opener choice questioned
In Delhi Capitals’ season opener, pathum nissanka and KL Rahul were handed the top-order roles but both struggled during a tricky chase, a situation that has reignited calls for Prithvi Shaw to be restored as an opener.
What went wrong with Pathum Nissanka at the top?
Delhi Capitals began their IPL 2026 campaign with a win over Gujarat Titans, but the decision to open with KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka did not fully pay off. Both openers struggled during the chase, leaving questions about whether the overnight balance of the batting unit was right for the conditions and the opposition attack they will soon face.
The match outcome masked individual inconsistencies at the top of the order: the duo were unable to provide the platform expected of openers in a testing run-chase, prompting debate within the team setup and among former players about the best way to protect and rotate strike early on.
Why Irfan Pathan urges Prithvi Shaw’s return
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a clear recommendation: “Play Prithvi Shaw. It is very important to include him. ” Pathan added that Delhi might nevertheless opt for Pathum Nissanka, but that in his preferred XI he would pick either Prithvi Shaw or Abhishek Porel alongside KL Rahul.
Pathan framed the choice as one of striking at-bat form and impact. He pointed to Shaw’s recent domestic returns as a reason for selection: 193 runs across six innings in the 50-over domestic tournament at an average of 32. 17 with a strike rate above 100, including two half-centuries; and 183 runs from seven outings in the T20 domestic competition at an average of 26. 14 and a strike rate above 160, again registering two fifties. Those figures highlight a player who has produced useful runs and aggressive intent in domestic cricket immediately prior to the IPL campaign.
What does the challenge from Mumbai Indians mean for selection?
Pathan emphasized the specific difficulty of the upcoming matchup for Delhi’s top order, noting the quality waiting for KL Rahul and company: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Hardik Pandya and Allah Ghazanfar. He warned that Mumbai Indians’ bowling resources will force tactical planning and matchups, with Bumrah singled out as a decisive threat. In that context, the question for Delhi Capitals is whether to persist with the existing opening pair or to alter the lineup to introduce an aggressive, in-form option at the top.
Prithvi Shaw’s recent domestic numbers and his history with the franchise were presented as practical considerations: between 2018 and 2024 he amassed 1, 892 runs in 79 innings for the team, with a strike rate of 147. 46, 14 fifties and a highest score of 99. Shaw has been out of the national set-up since 2021 and returns to the IPL after missing the previous season; Delhi had released him before IPL 2025 when he went unsold at the mega auction, making his present return notable.
The choice between maintaining faith in KL Rahul with Pathum Nissanka or reintroducing Prithvi Shaw carries clear tactical implications. Pathan’s recommendation is unambiguous: include Shaw to add bite at the top. Delhi Capitals must weigh recent form, historical returns and the specific threat posed by an upcoming Mumbai Indians attack when finalizing their opening combination.
Final selection decisions will determine whether pathum nissanka remains the starter or whether Shaw’s domestic resurgence earns him the opening slot that several former players believe he merits.
