Prithvi Shaw's Mantra to Get a Place in India's Squad for World Cup - 'Just Keep Scoring Runs'

Prithvi Shaw continued his red-hot form with the bat for India A too, as he top-scored in the impressive win over England Cricket Board XI (ECB XI) in a practice match on Sunday.

India A thrashed the local side by 125 runs to kickstart their England tour on a great note.

Asked to bat first, India A lost Mayank Agarwal early but their other opener, Shaw, hung in there to get the team’s highest score of 70 from 61 balls. The Mumbaikar was his fluent self, as he stroked seven boundaries and three sixes in an entertaining knock.

Other notable contributors for India A were skipper Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. Iyer scored 54 off 45 balls. On the other hand, Kishan, who had replaced Sanju Samson in the squad after the latter failed to clear the yo-yo test, scored 50.

Hanuma Vihari (38) and Krunal Pandya (34) also played handy knocks, as India A posted a huge 328 for eight.

In reply, ECB XI were shot out for 203 in the 37th over. Deepak Chahar starred with the ball. He picked up three for 48 while Axar Patel picked up two for 21.

Speaking after the game, Shaw expressed his delight over the knock and said he is preparing for the one-day mode now after impressing in the IPL.

“It was a good small knock. Obviously, the IPL is finished now so not focussing on that now. Just trying to be an One-Day player now because we have series to come. We are really preparing ourselves and working hard,” he said.

The Mumbaikar, while playing for Delhi Daredevils, scored 245 runs including two fifties.

Shaw has been blessed to work with some of the greatest players in the history of the game in his early years. Rahul Dravid coached him during his Under-19 days and is still coaching him in the A side.

On the other hand, he worked with the legendary Ricky Ponting in the Indian Premier League.

When asked what has he learnt from the two greats, he said they don’t talk much about the technical aspect of the game. Instead, they prepare the players mentally and motivate them to remain positive throughout.

“There is not much talking technically; it is more mentally over here. Rahul sir always positive. Ricky sir as well is always positive. They never put any negative vibes in the players even when they are practising. They have played lots of games in England especially Rahul sir. He has scored hundreds of runs here and has got a really good experience. He just tells us to play our natural games. That’s what we are doing,” said Shaw.

Talking about how to play in England, Shaw said playing close to the body is the key in the swinging and seaming conditions.

“Wickets and conditions are most important. They are really different to the Indian wickets. Obviously the balls swings a lot here. It seams as well. It is important to play close to the body,” he noted.

With the next World Cup not very far away, Shaw must be having an eye on it. However, the youngster is not focusing too much on it and is looking to score as many runs as possible.

“Just focusing on each and every game. Keep scoring runs that’s it,” he concluded.