IPL 2018: Excited to learn from coaches like Ponting, Amre, says Prithvi Shaw

Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw yesterday. Pic/Sneha Kharabe

Under-19 World Cup-winning skipper Prithvi Shaw said coach Rahul Dravid's influence on the team played a big role in India's triumph in New Zealand earlier this month. The colts thrashed Australia by eight wickets to win the cup for the fourth time at Mount Maunganui. "It was a great experience to play under Rahul sir. For the last two years, we dreamt of a World Cup journey with him," said Prithvi at the launch of Protinex's protein calculator in a city hotel yesterday.

Prithvi, 18, elaborated on how former India skipper Dravid guided his team. "He played international cricket for almost 20 years. We could ask him about conditions in New Zealand since he had the experience of playing there. "He knew how the weather would pan out and how the wickets were. He shared his experiences with us. All these small details helped," Prithvi, who scored 261 runs in five innings at an average of 65.25 during the World Cup, said. Prithvi, who was bought by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils for Rs 1.2 crore in last month's auction, is excited about his maiden outing in the cash-rich tournament.

"IPL will be a good learning experience. I will get an opportunity to share the dressing room with many international players. I'm excited to learn from coaches like Ricky Ponting and Pravin Amre," he said. Prithvi, who batted at No. 3 twice in four matches in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, said he prefers to be an opener. "It's not easy to open the innings. You have to read the conditions and the wicket yourself. But when you are batting at No. 3, you know what is happening out there. Having said that, I prefer to be an opener," said the wily batsman, who scored two half-centuries at No. 3.

Also Read: Prithvi Shaw thanks dad Pankaj in tough journey from Virar to Mount Maunganui

Prithvi has opened the innings in the Ranji Trophy as well as in the U-19 World Cup. He hopes to play under Virat Kohli someday. "Hopefully, I will do well in the upcoming matches and get a chance to play in the Indian senior team. Whenever the opportunity comes, I want to grab it with both hands," he concluded.

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