Prithvi not looking too far ahead despite meteoric rise
MUMBAI : Success has come easy to young Prithvi Shaw, but importantly he has handled it well.
From leading the India under-19 team to the World Cup win at the start of the year to making it to the Test squad, it has been a meteoric rise for the 18-year old opening batsman.
“It’s a very good feeling, I can’t explain in words, very delighted to go there (to United Kingdom) and enjoy the cricket,” said Prithvi, sharing his excitement of the Test call-up after being named in the squad for the last two games.
Prithvi has made smooth transition to every level of cricket, from junior to first-class to India A, by keeping his head on his shoulders. “I just wanted to focus on whatever chances I got, and try my best for myself and my team, and stay in the present. I was not thinking of India selection,” said Prithvi when reminded about the excellent season he is having.
Even while talking about the England Tests, he is not looking too far ahead. “I am not thinking anything extra; (will look to) just play my game and try my best.”
Prithvi had first made headlines for a world record knock of 546 runs in the Harris Shield (Mumbai school cricket) in 2013. He scored heavily in the agegroup tournaments and in 2017, made his Ranji Trophy debut in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu, scoring a second-innings century.
DREAM DEBUT
He also smashed a century on Duleep Trophy debut. And his performances for the A team on the recent tour of United Kingdom, including a top score of 188 in a four-day game against West Indies A, convinced the selectors he is ready for the highest level.
It was not his first tour of England. Shaw was groomed in his school days with regular tours of the UK, playing in the Yorkshire League under an exchange programme. While he has an idea of what to expect, the youngster said nothing can prepare him for the challenges of international cricket. “Yes I have played there, in Yorkshire and Manchester, but I can’t say I am used to the conditions. But I know what happens there.”