Former cricketers share mixed views on Prithvi Shaw's place in the Indian side

One of the players in domestic cricket who is taking giants strides to book a place into the Indian squad is Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw, who is slamming tons at will at exceptional strike rates and is in the reckoning for the senior side, even though he is just 17 years of age.

The case of Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Amir and many others are taken into account these days whenever the topic of Shaw comes up. And why not? For some players, a First-Class century is an event while this player is having events for breakfast.

In five Ranji matches he has played so far, he has already amassed a whopping 4 centuries. Furthermore, Shaw also became the youngest batsman to score a century in the Duleep Trophy final in September and is among the six players to score a century in both his Ranji trophy and Duleep trophy debut.

Pro Shaw in the Indian team

“What are the yardsticks for someone to be called ready? He is comfortable at a certain level, he is dominating, and if these are the parameters, then he’s ready. What is there to wait? If he is scoring runs and dominating at a certain level. I will be surprised if his name is not discussed in the next India Test squad selection meeting,” supported Shishir Hattangadi while talking to The Quint.

Makarand Waingankar also backed Shishir statement by comparing the case of Sachin Tendulkar who used to bat at number 5 for India during the first few years of his career. Waingankar claimed that Shaw has been opening the innings and facing the new ball, which is far more difficult than batting at number 5.

“Why not? If Sachin Tendulkar can at 16, then why not Shaw? He has scored four hundred, all against quality attack. If not now, then when? While Tendulkar batted at Number five when he made his debut, Shaw, as an opener, has been facing the new ball, which is more difficult,” stated Makarand Waingankar according to his quotes in DNA.

Anti Shaw in the Indian team

Meanwhile, the likes of Aakash Chopra, Pravin Amre and Chandresh Narayan believe that someone of the calibre of Shaw should not be rushed into the Indian squad at such a tender age as it might jeopardise his career forever.

“If given an opportunity, I think Shaw has the confidence and potential to do well at the international level, but to be honest, at the top level, the competition is too high. Shaw should enjoy wherever he is playing and scoring in matches. It will only help him become a better player,” revealed Pravin Amre.

Aakash Chopra also suggested the possibility of losing a player by introducing him early into the Indian team. “What’s the rush? Why can’t he wait for some more time? If he’s good, then he’ll just get better with time. If a kid is put in the Indian team at a young age, then there is a possibility of losing the player,” commented Chopra on the curious case of Prithvi Shaw.