Gautam Gambhir reckons that there are bigger challenges lying ahead for Prithvi Shaw

Discarded Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir seems to be mighty impressed with the young Prithvi Shaw. He has watched the youngster for close quarters during his stint with the Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018. After having a string of failures, Gambhir actually dropped himself from the XI to accommodate a talent like Shaw.

Prithvi Shaw, with a century on his Test debut, got his IPL skipper stand in awe. While Gambhir heaped a lot of praise of the 20-year-old, he also gave him a subtle caution. The Delhi skipper said that there are bigger challenges lying ahead for the Mumbai batsman.

Gambhir hopes for Prithvi Shaw to be successful in Australia

“He’s impressive. He’s very talented and that’s why he is there. He’s started off his Test career on a very good note, but there will be far bigger and far difficult challenges waiting for him,” said Gambhir at the launch of the second edition of Vicks #TouchOfCare campaign.

Prithvi Shaw is most likely to be picked in the Test squad for the tour of Australia. Facing the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and others on bouncy Australian tracks won’t be an easy task for Shaw. However, Gambhir seems to be hopeful about the 20-year-old doing well down-under.

“I hope so. It’s important for any opening batter to succeed in Australia. That’s where India struggled in England. Three opening partnerships were not good enough. If you want to succeed overseas or anywhere, you need a good platform,” the 36-year-old reckoned.

Gambhir also spoke about the MS Dhoni – Rishabh Pant debacle. “There’s never been a right time and there’s never been a wrong time (to pick a player). It really depends on the combination and ultimately; it’s a performer that will keep you in the side. If MS (Dhoni) continues to do well, obviously he should be playing but if someone else does well I think that’s where it has got to be,” he said.

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