Dravid’s NZ tips helped tilt U-19 World Cup run: Prithvi

India U-19 World Cupwinning captain Prithvi Shaw said coach Rahul Dravid’s suggestion to restrict players to one junior tournament will help the younger lot seeking exposure.

“It all boils down to the ICC ruling on the same. But for me, it’s okay to play one year in the India U-19 team. All those youngsters who have been working hard also need an opportunity. So, it will be a good decision whenever it is taken,” said Shaw.

Former India skipper Dravid, who took over the junior and India A teams in 2015, guided the U-19 side with a win over Australia in the final in New Zealand on February 4. The batting great wants upcoming players to take the first-class route for a spot in the India team and sees the U-19 World Cup as only a development opportunity for them and Indian cricket. Shaw made an instant impression as top-order batsman with the senior Mumbai side before the World Cup, and joined the team in Chennai for the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-dayers on returning from New Zealand.

Shaw opened in all but one of India’s six matches in the World Cup. For Mumbai, the 18-year-old has been shifted to No 3. “When you open the batting, it’s slightly trickier. You have to read the situation and wicket. But at No 3 you already know what is happening out there in terms of ball movement. So, it’s slightly simpler to come in after.”

Shaw nodded when asked if he preferred to open. Shaw revealed how Dravid’s playing experience in New Zealand helped in the successful U-19 World Cup campaign. Dravid was successful in New Zealand, where the fickle weather and seam movement can make life difficult for sub-continent batsmen. He aggregated 766 runs at an average of 63.83 in seven Tests in three tours. He played 12 ODIs in the country, scoring one ton and two fifties.

“It has been great working with him over the last two years and through this World Cup journey,” Shaw said. “He is ‘The Wall’ after all, and has played in New Zealand so many times. So, we had the opportunity to ask him about the weather conditions and the wickets. He shared his playing experiences from there and because of those small things we got the World Cup.”

He (Rahul Dravid) played in New Zealand so many times. So, we had the opportunity to ask him about the weather and the wickets. PRITHVI SHAW, India U-19 skipper