Prithvi Shaw journey was not an easy one as he would travel on a local train with his father at the age of three years. His father gave admission to Shaw in Virar Cricket Academy for training.
He then travelled from Virar to South Mumbai in early morning hours to achieve the ambition of becoming a cricketer. Shaw’s father had to focus on his cricketing journey and gave up his business as his mother died while he was a young child.
He is now the opener for India under 19 team. It is a dream for any father to see his child succeed in life. Shaw was awarded a 3-month scholarship in Manchester with a school during 2012. He showed great skills by scoring heavily in English conditions. The young teen sensation made 1446 runs for Cheadle Hulme School in Manchester at an average of 85. In 2014, Shaw also made use of his skills playing for Cleethorpes in Yorkshire ECB County Premier League.
Sachin Tendulkar one of the greatest players in the world made his test debut in 1989 and ODI debut in the same year. He has the credit of scoring a century on debut both in Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy first ever in the Indian cricket history. He continued to play for India until 24 years and retired from cricket in 2013. In the past few years, India has produced brilliant batsmen who have represented the national colour and played for team India for long times. The top class Indian players that have an impact on Indian cricket include Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman.
Prithvi Shaw started his cricket in 2011. He has played so far for Polly Umrigar XI from 2011-14, Rizvi Springfield School, Mumbai in 2012/13, High Lane CC in 2012, Eknath Solkar from 2012-13, Bradfield College in 2013-14, Hartley Witney College from 2013-14, Parel Sporting Club from 2013/14.
In 2013 in a Harris Shield match, Prithvi Shaw a thirteen-year-old boy then displayed a phenomenal batting skill by a record knock of 546 in 330 balls for Rizvi Springfield School which was the third highest score at any level. It was a marathon inning by Shaw that lasted for 6 hours and seven minutes. During that innings as he hit 85 fours and five sixes. Now the young 17-year-old Prithvi Shaw is establishing as a next rising star of Indian batting line up with Debut centuries both in Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. Shaw scored 154 for India Red on the first day at Lucknow of finals. He demonstrates the ability to play long innings against top quality bowling lineup. He has played four List A matches so far.
Playing his fifth ODI match on 6th February 2017 against England Under 19, Shaw scored his first century at this level. He has also done well in the Under 19 tour of England in July and August 2017. In the 2 youth test matches against England, he scored 3 half centuries in 4 innings. Shaw also showed promise in 5 match ODI series against England with good starts from Shaw with 2 scores of 52 and 48. Dravid the coach of Under 19 and India A side was highly impressed with this youngster. Shaw played a key role in Under 19 victory at the Youth Asia Cup held in 2016. He scored 191 runs from 5 matches with 1 half century. He was impressed with his technique during that tournament.
At the beginning of this year (1st January to 5th January 2017 ) Shaw made his first-class debut for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy during the semi-finals against Tamil Nadu and became the youngest player to score a century on Ranji Trophy debut. Chasing 251 in the second innings, Shaw scored 120 runs in 175 balls with 13 fours and 1 six which helped Mumbai win the match by 6 wickets.
In the on-going Duleep Trophy match (25-27 September 2017) between India Blue and India Red, Prithvi Shaw became the second and the youngest player to score a century in his debut match for India Red.
With the Under 19 World Cup coming up in 2018, Shaw would play an important part in the Indian squad for World Cup. In next few years, Shaw could come as an opener for the team. He is a great solid batsman who can survive in any conditions.
With lots of potential in the 17-year-old batsman, Shaw could become one of the great batting sensations and opening batsmen after the current lot.