KKR coach McCullum finds Prithvi Shaw’s intent worth emulating

Brendon McCullum

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. In the first six overs, they scored 45 and lost opener Nitish Rana (15 in 12 balls). Later, Andre Russell (45 not out in 27) and Shubman Gill (38-ball 43) helped the team cross the 150-mark. For DC, left-arm spinner Axar Patel and off-spinner Lalit Yadav claimed two wickets apiece.

While chasing the target, Shaw's attacking innings of 82 which came in just 41 balls (11x4, 3x6) made it a one-sided affair. Shaw's opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, who played a supporting role on Thursday, scored 46 off 47 balls and secured the win with 21 balls to spare.

Prithvi Shaw.

"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.

"It's very, very disappointing. I think as a player, you ask to be given freedom and confidence and loyalty when it comes to selection, to go out there and take the game on and try and be aggressive and to try and make things happen for your team," remarked McCullum, who registered the IPL's first century - an unbeaten 158 off just 73 balls for KKR versus Royal Challengers Bangalore at Bangalore in 2008.

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. The first delivery was a wide.

"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 and he put us under an immense amount of pressure early on," McCullum added.