Prithvi Shaw promises his father to play in the final like the rest of the matches in the World Cup

The Indian Under 19 team has displayed an exemplary and incredible show in the ongoing Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand. They have outplayed every opposition lined up in the group stages and the knock-outs explosively in their exciting journey so far. After beating Pakistan by a huge margin of 2013-runs in the semi-final encounter, they will now be facing Australia in the final battle to claim the coveted title. In the entire tournament so far, young skipper Prithvi Shaw, who is the skipper of India Under 19 team, has evolved to be a fine leader and a great prospect for the future of Indian cricket.

It is quite a tensing situation for a father

Prithvi has shown great signs of settling down in pressure situations at the higher levels of the game, apart from scoring two crucial half-centuries in this World Cup, the talented teenager has also scored 5 centuries in his debut first-class season, last year in India. His father Pankaj Shaw who is also a keen activist of the sport revealed something about his own mindset when he watches his son doing so well. Prithvi’s father stated that he doesn’t anymore goes watch any of his son’s matches as it is quite a tensing moment for him. He only visits some of his club games or local matches and not the big games.

“I don’t watch his matches anymore. That’s why I didn’t go to New Zealand. I go for local and club matches only. I get tense. Earlier, I would not even switch on the television unless he was, at least, batting on 60,” said Prithvi’s father as quoted by Sportstar.

Prithvi’s best cricket is yet to come

Mr. Pankaj had a short conversation on the phone with his son after the semi-final win against Pakistan. The Indian team skipper mentioned in that communication that they would be approaching the final match against Australia with the same intensity and energy as they have been doing in the competition so far. But his father’s expectations are surely beyond achieving the World Cup trophy and stressed on the fact that his son needs to do even better in the coming years. He will have to work harder and maintain his focus to bring out the best in him to play at the highest levels.

“It feels good that the team is in the final (against Australia on Saturday). I hope they win it too, but Prithvi needs to do even better. He needs to keep working harder. Abhi toh bohot chhota hai, abhi toh kuch khela hi nahi hai (he is still young and hasn’t played his best cricket yet).

Prithvi’s name came into the recognition after a stellar performance in the tour to England in 2016 with which he grasped the limelight. Former Indian cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni played a huge role in sending Prithvi to England in 2012, which was his first international tour then. Kulkarni revealed some insights about the young lad’s commitment towards the game.

“As a fellow cricketer, I wanted to support him. But it is his talent and commitment which got him to this stage. Nobody should take credit for this. It is only the player,” said Kulkarni.