Prithvi Shaw acknowledges Rahul Dravid's guidance during his doping ban

Prithvi Shaw, who is tagged as the future of Indian cricket, was sidelined from the game for a few months. The right-handed batsman was banned by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) after failing a doping test. Shaw had unintentionally ingested a cough syrup which comprised terbutaline, a substance that has been banned to consume.

Shaw was ineligible to take part in any BCCI-related cricketing activities as the youngster was handed an eight-month-long ban by the BCCI. Shaw’s ban finally came to an end on November 16, 2019. The Mumbai-born cricketer bounced back on the stage by smashing 63 runs off 39 balls while representing Mumbai. He marked his arrival to the game in style against Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20 fixture.

Speaking after the match, Shaw acknowledged current NCA head coach Rahul Dravid’s contribution in helping him during the period of his ban. The veteran Indian cricketer called Prithvi Shaw to train at the NCA post his arrival from London.

“I had never thought that something like this would happen. I was obviously upset. For the first 20-25 days after I was banned, I was not able to understand how did it happen. Time passed by. I went to London and chilled out there as I was not allowed to practice till September 15,” said Shaw as quoted by India Today.

“There was nothing in my mind. I couldn’t have done anything about the ban. After returning from London, Rahul (Dravid) sir called me to the NCA for training. There I went through a series of fitness tests like yo-yo,” he went on to add.

My father has stood behind me: Prithvi Shaw

Shaw also recognized the efforts of his father, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the youngster’s career. He said that his father had always stood behind him during tough times. “My father has stood behind me and nobody else is there. In these three months, he was with me like he has been during the U14 and U16 days. He felt that he needed to be with me,” said Shaw.

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