Prithivi Shaw needs to step up, says batsman's father Pankaj

Prithvi Shaw's father says his son, who scored a ton in India's 230-run win over England, needs to cut down on rash shots after reaching the three-figure mark

India U-19 batsman Prithvi Shaw celebrates his century against England during the 4th ODI at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. Pics/Suresh Karkera

Despite Prithvi Shaw (105) compiling a century to help India U-19 hammer their English counterparts by 230 runs in the fourth one-day-international at Wankhede Stadium yesterday, his father Pankaj, felt it's high time the 17-year-old showed maturity and cut down on rash shots after reaching the three-figure mark.

Shaw, who scored 105 off 89 balls with the help of 12 fours and two sixes, put on a 231-run stand for the second wicket with Shubham Gill (160), who also notched up a ton to power the hosts to 382 for nine.

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Prithvi Shaw's father Pankaj (centre) at Wankhede yesterday

Series-clincher
Later, the English colts were bowled out for 152 as the Rahul Dravid-coached team clinched the ODI series 3-1 with a match to spare.

Shaw senior, who reached the venue after Prithvi's dismissal, was unhappy with his son's attitude post his century. "I deliberately came to watch this match after India's innings, because whenever I'm at the ground, Prithvi feels the pressure while batting. I think he needs to show more maturity while shaping his innings.

Today too, I heard he was playing well and had a good chance to score more runs, but got out to a shot which was unnecessary," Shaw's father told mid-day yesterday.

Earlier, put in to bat, India lost skipper and opener Himanshu Rana (33) in the 16th over with 83 on board. Gill, who had scored an unbeaten 138 in the third ODI at Brabourne Stadium, continued with the same form, hitting 23 boundaries and one six during his 120-ball knock.

First U-19 ton for Prithvi
In Gill's company, Shaw unleashed an array of strokes to reach his first century at this level.

Shaw reached 99 with a sweep to the fine-leg boundary off left-arm spinner Delray Rawlins. Two balls later, he completed his ton with a gentle push towards mid-wicket, taking 81 deliveries to reach his milestone. The Mumbai batsman failed to clear a Rawlins delivery and was caught at long on.

Later, the England batsmen succumbed to the pressure against some disciplined Indian pace bowling. Kamlesh Nagarkoti was the wrecker-in-chief with 4-31, while Vivekanant Tiwari (3-20) and Shivam Mavi (2-18) chipped in to bundle out the visitors for a paltry 152.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Pole (59) and Will Jacks (44) top-scored for England.

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