With 754 runs at an average of 188.5, Mumbai Prithvi Shaw topped the list of most runs in a Vijay Hazare Trophy season with one game in hand, Sunday’s final against Uttar Pradesh. Shaw’s hot scoring run continues at 0 and 4 against Australia in the pink ball event in Adelaide, after which he was eliminated. After his 165 against Karnataka in the semi-final, Shaw spoke to The Indian Express about the dejection at being kicked out of the test team, his technique and how he is determined to score big runs.
Post Australia what was going through your mind?
I was a bit confused, I was wondering what was going on? Is there a problem with my hitting? What is the problem? To reassure myself, I told myself it was a game of pink ball against one of the best bowling attacks in the world. The question was why they threw me (Mitchell Starc in the first inning and Pat Cummins in the second). I was depressed for sure. I stood in front of the mirror and said to myself: ‘I’m not as bad a player as everyone says I am.
You looked exposed, especially against the incoming ball. Did you talk to the coaches of the Indian team?
Ravi (Shastri) Sir and Vikram (Rathour) Sir made me realize where I was going wrong. I had to find a solution. Go back to the networks and fix it. There were little mistakes he was making. Those two tickets (Adelaide, pink ball test) made me look bad. My back lift was the same, but my bat was lowered a bit away from my body. There was a problem with the initial move. I was in a fixed position. I needed to keep my bat closer to my body, which I wasn’t doing.
Did you have sleepless nights?
I was in complete tension when they dropped me after the first test. He had a feeling he was worthless, although he was happy that the team was doing well. I said to myself ‘I need to get my socks up’. There is a saying that “hard work is better than talent.” I told myself that all this talent is fine, but it’s useless if I don’t work hard. It was the saddest day of my life (when they left it). I went to my room and collapsed. I felt that something bad was happening. He needed answers quickly.
Did you talk to someone?
I didn’t speak to anyone, I was getting calls but I wasn’t in the mood to talk to people. My mind was in a mess. My bat came from the ravine area, but that’s how I’ve scored runs my entire life. The problem was the way it came out and I had to fix it right away. I met Sachin sir (Tendulkar) after I came back, he said not to make too many changes and to play as close to the body as possible. I was late to the ball. So during the whole tour of Australia I worked on that part. Maybe it was because I had gone to Australia after playing in Dubai (IPL).
How difficult was it to be in the locker room during such a historic series win?
I wasn’t thinking of anything. The only thing on my mind was … whether it’s Starc or whoever, I can interpret them. I know that. I know my capabilities.
In hindsight, do you wish you had an additional set?
I wanted it, but obviously, it was not in my hands.
How difficult is it to deal with failure after initial highs?
I never give up easily. Mein Virar ka ladka hoon (I am a Virar boy), I come from the streets. I know how to recover. I have always kept the team above me, be it club, Mumbai or India. If you want me to score 1 100-ball run, I can try, but that’s not me. That is not my game. I can not play like this. I have never been in a situation like the one I was in Australia, but now I have worked hard. He spent hours and hours in networks to rectify it.
What did you do when you returned to India?
Once you are removed from the team, there is pressure to give up and come back. I am eager to run. I wanted to do big daddy races. The other day I had a backache during the quarterfinals and our physio and team management asked me to go back to the locker room, I said ‘no’. They gave me medicine and I kept hitting. My goal was to remain undefeated. I’m trying to better handle situations when I’m hitting.
Did you imagine that you would have such a good race at the Vijay Hazare?
I was not expecting anything. Even now I feel like all is not going well until I get back to the Indian team. Whenever I have the opportunity, I want to take it. I knew I would have no chance against England and took it easy. I am the one to blame.
Is it said that you did not work enough on your physical condition?
These things will be said when you don’t write down. I’m not saying I’m the fittest player on the team, but I work hard. There are always areas for improvement. You can never be perfect.
Did Ricky Ponting predict about his weakness related to the incoming ball in the air before going out?
He’s a legend of the game, what can I say? I am off social media now. It is a distraction. Sometimes it is difficult to read comments. So you better go now.
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