If Prithvi Shaw stays focused, he will play for India, believes Dilip Vengsarkar

Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw is already seen by the nation as the next big thing in Indian cricket owing to his brilliant batting abilities. The 17-year-old was recently in the news after he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the youngest centurion on his Duleep Trophy debut. He had also scored a century in his Ranji debut earlier this year.

He has been a popular name in India’s domestic circuit and India’s former chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar, has heard of his batting prowess. Present at the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai awards ceremony at the Bombay Gymkhana, Vengsarkar said, “I have not watched Prithvi much but heard so much of him, that he is a good player. If he works hard and stays focused he will play for India.”

Vengsarkar revealed that former Mumbai selector Milind Rege and former Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit had considered taking him though he is too young for it. However, Vengsarkar believes that consistency and ability to stay focused would be Shaw’s main challenges now.

“Consistency is important and you have to play every match as your first match and don’t look at shortcuts. You are a young cricketer and there is money in the game so that can be disruptive. So, stay focused,” added Vengsarkar.

Shaw has also managed to impress New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult, who was left awestruck by his batting in their first game against Board President’s XI where Shaw built a first wicket stand of 147 runs alongside KL Rahul, himself scoring 66 off 80 balls.