Prithvi Shaw to train with badminton ace P.V. Sindhu

Shaw's team is working on a schedule and tie up with Sindhu to enable the 19-year-old Mumbai cricketer regain his confidence and physical fitness.

Indian badminton player PV Sindhu and Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw.

Prithvi Shaw will soon be training with badminton ace P.V. Sindhu in Hyderabad to improve his footwork and work ethics.

It is learnt that Shaw's team is working on a schedule and tie up with the 2019 World Championship winner to enable the 19-year-old Mumbai cricketer regain his confidence and physical fitness for the current season.

Shaw was handed an eight-month ban for having “inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups.” The ban, starting March 16 and ending on November 15, keeps him out of the series against South Africa and Bangladesh.

Presently recuperating in England, Shaw, who hit a century on his Test debut against the West Indies last year, aggregating 237 runs in three innings, before suffering an injury. His comeback was derailed by the doping ban even though he had received support from the Board.

The move to train with Sindhu was initiated by Shaw’s team. “The idea is to improve his overall fitness and agility as a fielder,” said a source close to Shaw. The Mumbai cricketer is not among the best of fielders and his sideways movements on the field have often caused embarrassment to Shaw.

Sindhu’s workouts, some of which can be seen on social media, have become popular with young sportsmen. “We expect Shaw to improve his flexibility as a fielder and also enhance his endurance power to play long innings,” said the source. Shaw is expected to start training with Sindhu this week.

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar was known to play badminton regularly to improve his footwork. Stars like Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar would indulge in table tennis to improve their ability to spot the ball early. For Shaw, a stint with Sindhu is being considered as an ideal preparation for the season.