Prithvi Shaw wants no comparison with Sachin - 'I haven't yet started'

Prithvi dismissed comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar but is prepared to meet the expectations of the Indian cricket fans.

Published : Feb 08, 2018 23:53 IST , Chennai

Prithvi Shaw is aware of the media glare but seems equipped to handle the situation.
Prithvi Shaw is aware of the media glare but seems equipped to handle the situation.
lightbox-info

Prithvi Shaw is aware of the media glare but seems equipped to handle the situation.

India U-19 World Cup-winning skipper Prithvi Shaw seems ready for the next stage as a cricketer.

The 18-year-old, who returned to the domestic fold for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, hopes to rub shoulders with the seniors soon. “I don’t know actually. I think so. But I have to keep scoring runs. There will be opportunities and I need to grab them to be in the senior team, I hope it comes soon,” he said, after Mumbai’s two-wicket victory against Tamil Nadu at the SSN College Ground here on Thursday.

Though shy and reserved, Prithvi is aware of the media glare and he knows how to handle the attention. “Within the Mumbai team, everything is normal as they are my own people and I have been with the team for two years. I know there will be cameras and media as I have won the World Cup, which is obvious, but it’s all good,” added Prithvi, who landed at 1:30 am on Thursday after attending a felicitation programme in Mumbai.

 

The youngster enjoys captaincy and Rahul Dravid, the U-19 head coach, fine-tuned his mental stamina too. “I love captaincy. I have been the captain in my school for six years. I have also led in junior teams in Mumbai. At the World Cup, we had many experienced players so I didn’t need to do much,” revealed Prithvi, adding, “Rahul sir, who also led India at one point, shared a few things to get the tactics right and told me how to be mature as a captain.”

Dravid also toughened the team with encouraging words. “He never spoke much about technique. He prepared us mentally with positive words before matches as well as training sessions. He didn’t encourage negative talks,” he revealed.

Prithvi dismissed comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar but is prepared to meet the expectations of the Indian cricket fans. “People from the stands would expect me to score a 100 when I score a half-century. I know expectations will be there, but there cannot be any comparison with Sachin sir . He is the God of cricket who played for 24 years, I haven’t yet started. It is a long journey for me ahead.”

Come April, the stylish right-hander is likely to make the XI for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL but the thought hasn’t tinkered with his cricketing brain yet. “I am not thinking about IPL right now. I am here to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. When IPL comes, I will definitely plan my game. I like to be in the present tense,” he signed off.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment