It Was A Memorable Moment To Receive Ranji Cap, Says Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw
Jan 2, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Prithvi Shaw, Mumbai’s teenage sensation who has been smashing inter-school records and occupying the maidans for days in the recent past has been picked in playing XI for Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu on Sunday after an all-important meeting of the selection committee where there were tempted to pick teenager following his amazing run-of-form.
“Like every Mumbai under-14 cricketer I too dreamt of playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy one day. I have accomplished it, but I also know that I have more responsibilities to shoulder,” Shaw told mid-day.
With the modest season on the back of right-handed batsman Shaw, who was delighted to make his first appearance, was presented a maiden cap by his Mumbai Ranji team coach Chandrakant Pandit.
“It was a memorable moment for me when Chandu Sir handed me my Mumbai Ranji cap,” said Shaw.
The 17-year-old Shaw replaced Kevin D’Almeida as Mumbai made two changes after beating Hyderabad in the quarter-final game. Tushar Deshpande’s place was occupied by Balwinder Singh Sandhu.
While lavishing some praise on his ward, Chandrakant sees a great future in Shaw for the domestic side in the years to come.
“Prithvi batted well in the nets. He is very young, but I was glad to watch the way he played,” said Chandrakant as formidable Mumbai is looking to clinch the Ranji Trophy title for the 42nd time in the first-class history.
Showing some spark in his batting, Shaw has scored three tons in Vinoo Mankad Trophy before being picked for the U-19 team.
“There was good intensity on the field. Everyone was cheering up whenever I fielded the ball. Skipper Tare, Nayar… all my teammates have shown a lot of faith and confidence in me,” an excited Shaw revealed.
The show-stealer Shaw has played the significant role in India’s win in the Under-19 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka recently.
“I was not thinking about the selection. I knew if I keep performing, I will get the break. I feel I could have done better in Lanka. I spoke to Rahul sir, he also he said, just play your natural game. I knew that if I keep scoring runs call will come,” enough confident Shaw added.
While enduring the days of struggle Shaw lost his mother when he was four. But he fought hard to take a step forward before amassing 546 runs when he was just 14 in the Harris Shield U-16 school tournament.
Shaw has spent most of his time while practising at the MIG ground in Bandra with his father Pankaj, who owns a readymade garments shop.
“Crowds used to gather at the municipality ground in Virar to watch the little kid play fluent shots against these big boys,” Pankaj recalls quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Shaw has to prove again and again himself on the assembly line before cementing his place in the first-class side.