Delhi Capitals may have started IPL 2026 with a win, but the cracks at the top are already showing, and the noise around Prithvi Shaw’s return is getting louder. 

After KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka failed to convincingly seal a tricky chase in the opener, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has thrown a curveball into DC’s plans: bring Shaw back, and bring him back now.

“Play Prithvi Shaw. It is very important to include him,” Pathan insisted, making it clear he’d pick Shaw over the current combination without hesitation.

And it’s not a baseless call.

Shaw, back in IPL colours after a dramatic fall, from being released to going unsold, has quietly rebuilt his case in domestic cricket. With brisk runs in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the explosive opener has shown glimpses of the fearless batter DC once banked on.

However, this isn’t just about this; it’s about firepower.

Against a Mumbai Indians attack boasting Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Hardik Pandya, Delhi’s conservative start could cost them dearly. Shaw, with his high-risk, high-reward approach, offers something Rahul and Nissanka currently don’t: early momentum.

Still, the decision isn’t straightforward.

Pathan himself hinted DC might stick with Nissanka, but made his preference clear. If it’s about impact, Shaw edges ahead, even in a toss-up with Abhishek Porel.

Meanwhile, all eyes will also be on KL Rahul, who Pathan believes remains DC’s biggest batting weapon, but one Mumbai will target relentlessly with match-up strategies.

With a blockbuster clash looming, Delhi Capitals now face a classic IPL dilemma: stick with stability, or unleash chaos. And in T20 cricket, chaos often wins.