Prithvi Shaw on Aus Injury, World Cup Chances & Virat Kohli

India’s 19-year-old Test cricketer Prithvi Shaw talks about his ODI cricket aspirations, Virat Kohli & Rishabh Pant.

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw spoke to The Quint on the sidelines of the launch of the Indian jersey for the 2019 World Cup this summer.

(Photo: Erum Gour/The Quint)

Nineteen-year-old Test cricketer Prithvi Shaw was one of the players invited by Nike to showcase the new Indian jersey for this summer’s ICC World Cup.

The 2018 Under-19 World Cup winning captain made his debut in the white uniform against the Windies at home last year, smashing a century in his first series but has since been on the sidelines after injuring his ankle at the start of the Test series in Australia.

One of Indian cricket’s most promising youngsters, Shaw is yet to be given India’s blue jersey but he told The Quint he was confident his time would come.

“I am mentally prepared. It’s a matter of time. Whenever the chance will come, I will try and grab it and try and give a 100 percent to India. I am just waiting for it. Obviously, I’ve played Tests before and the dream was to play Tests first because the Test cap means a lot, but now I’m eagerly waiting to see myself in this blue jersey as well.”

Prithvi Shaw

Despite making his debut in October 2018, Shaw emerged as India’s first-choice opener ahead of the Test series against Australia in November. However, an ankle injury while fielding in a practice game ruled him out of the entire series.

“I couldn’t do anything about it. It just happened. I was eagerly waiting for that tournament – facing the best bowlers, playing Australia, the best team. It would’ve been  a great challenge for me. I was a bit disappointed but I was very happy we came back with a win in the series.”

Prithvi Shaw

Asked to pick the one team-mate he finds himself the most time with, Shaw was quick to name his Delhi Capitals colleague and former India A batter Rishabh Pant.

“Rishabh Pant and I are very close friends. Our journey has been similar. He’s a guy, on the field and off the field, who I speak to a lot. Each and every player, I like to talk to, I like to question them a lot, they get irritated but that’s a great time to get the experience. On the field, we talk about cricket but off the field, we like playing PS4 when we have nothing to do – me, Rishabh and Virat bhai. So, I mean it’s just fun times.”

Prithvi Shaw

India wore the new Nike jersey for the ongoing series against Australia and as has been the trend in this series, Shaw said he believes India will win the title this summer.