First coach: Prithvi Shaw and dad should have been alert

Santosh Pingulkar

Prithvi Shaw's first coach from Virar - Santosh Pingulkar - felt that the backdated eight-month ban (March 16 to November 15) from all forms of competitive cricket for failing a dope test, will affect his career big-time. Pingulkar explained that it will not be an easy task for Shaw, 19, to claw back in the Indian side after this incident. Shaw tested positive for terbutaline during the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament in Indore.

"It was a crucial period for Prithvi, who was expected to prove his mettle post the injury break by playing well on the domestic and the international circuit. But with this [dope violation], his image will be affected too. The damage that this could do to him is huge. He will have to keep a cool head and ensure he continues to train hard and be ready for challenges. This is a huge lesson, not just for Prithvi but also other players, who will now realise the damage an act of carelessness can do," Pingulkar told mid-day yesterday.

Pingulkar added: "Prithvi and his father should have been aware about the banned drugs. After the ankle injury, Prithvi has not played any big matches. He has rested enough and just when he was getting back to normalcy, this [doping] has happened," he said.

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