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Prithvi Shaw is going through a tough phase and has been advised to put his head down, and work on his fitness to resurrect dwindling career.
Prithvi Shaw scored a century on his Test debut. (BCCI Photo)
Prithvi Shaw made his India Test debut at the age of 18 and peeled off a century to make a grand entry into international cricket. The performance was in line given the potential he showed in age-group competitions and first-class cricket. Unfortunately, he failed to build on the debut show as his career took a turn for the worse. Inconsistency combined with off-field issues pushed him off the national selectors’ radar and despite showing signs of revival in domestic cricket a couple of seasons ago, his career continues to veer off the track.
Recently, he went unsold at the IPL mega auction which has resulted in more scrutiny over his dipping performances and questionable attitude.
Former India cricketer Pravin Amre who has coached Shaw at IPL franchise Delhi Capitals feels that the 25-year-old needs to lose weight and only he can help himself now.
“What we want, to be honest, is that he loses 10 kgs and becomes match fit,” Shaw was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “What is stopping him is his fitness. Nobody has a doubt about his cricketing skill. He is God-gifted but the problem is, he is his own enemy.”
“Now, I don’t think anybody can motivate him. Everybody tried and I think he has to motivate himself now. Nobody else can help him. If you are going through a tough time, go and hit the nets. He has to hit the gym and the nets both,” Amre added.
Amre feels that Shaw needs to put some work on his footwork which has been impacted by his weight.
“He (Shaw) should not go in a reverse direction now from here. He is now an adult, to be honest, he has to help himself right now. He has good hand-eye coordination. But for that timing, he needs to have proper footwork. And because of that body weight, he is late on the ball. He is not able to transfer the weight, his feet are not moving. He is not in the right position. And that is why we want him to work on his fitness,” Amre said.
Shaw, who was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad after a series of low scores, is currently part of their Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy campaign.
