Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif recently revealed an interesting ritual that the Delhi Capitals opening batter, Prithivi Shaw follows during his training session. Kaif was part of the Delhi Capitals support staff for three seasons, till 2021.
The former India cricketer worked closed with Shaw during his time at the Delhi Capitals. Speaking about it, Kaif revealed a ritual that Shaw followed during the training.
He stated that Shaw used to ask him to bowl underarm bowling, below the knee before the match. In an interaction with Sportskeeda, Mohammad Kaif said:
“I was with the Delhi Capitals for three years and got to spend a lot of time with Prithvi Shaw. He had this ritual where, before the match, I used to hold a new ball with the seam and throw it underarm towards him, below his knee. He would keep knocking it back to me”
Mohammad Kaif further revealed that Prithvi Shaw had stopped the practice for a few days. However, after not scoring enough runs, he again switched back to doing it.
“One day, when I was having tea, a player came in and told me that Shaw was waiting for me outside. I ran outside and asked him what happened. So he told me, ‘please bowl underarm to me, I am not getting runs. I want to start this ritual again’,” said Kaif.
Prithvi Shaw was specific about me bowling underarm balls with straight seam, below knees: Mohammad Kaif
Further speaking about Prithvi Shaw’s ritual, Kaif expressed that he had to bowl specifically underarm deliveries with a straight seam to the opener. He added that Shaw used to play around ten underarm deliveries. Kaif said,
“He was specific that I had to bowl underarm but with a straight seam and also below the knee so that the ball could meet the middle of the bat. Shaw used to play 10-12 balls in that manner. He used to hit the ball back at me and get into a sort of batting rhythm.”
Prithvi Shaw’s ritual paid off, as the batter scored runs in the match. After the game, both Kaif and Shaw looked at each other and smiled, indicating that the ritual must g on, said, Kaif.
“In the next match, he went in and scored runs. After the game, we looked at each other and started laughing. We did not speak to each other, just made eye contact and I suggested that if a ritual is working, then don’t break it. He admitted that he had made a mistake and became lazy but assured that he would not repeat it. And he kept following the ritual after that,” the former cricketer concluded.
Prithvi Shaw was retained by the Delhi Capitals for INR 7.5 crores for the IPL 2022 season. He kicked off the campaign on a good note, slamming 38 in 24 balls, against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
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