Prithvi Shaw is set to be picked in the Rest of India squad for Irani Cup which clashes with the T20 League. Will he be part of the inaugural gig? Mumbai's ex-chief selector Milind Rege has some advice
India U-19 captain Prithvi Shaw warms up during the U-19 World Cup at Bay Oval in Tauranga, New Zealand last month. Pic/Getty Images
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India's under-19 World Cup-winning captain and Mumbai's opening batsman Prithvi Shaw, who scored five centuries in nine first-class matches, may have to think twice before taking a decision to play in the March 11-21 Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) T20 Mumbai League (TTML). Shaw is set to be picked in the Rest of India squad for his first Irani Cup match (March 14-18) which clashes with the TTML. Rest will clash against Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha at Nagpur.
Mumbai's former captain and chief selector Milind Rege had a word of advice for the young batsman: "You will have to play the Irani Cup - your first preference is always India, then state and then club." Rege's selection committee picked Shaw in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad last season and the young gun responded by scoring a debut century in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu at Rajkot. "If there is a BCCI tournament, then the first priority will have to be that. The T20 Mumbai League is a very good tournament, but there is no other alternative but to play the Irani Cup," Rege added.
Milind Rege
Mumbai's coach Sameer Dighe echoed the same feelings and highlighted the importance of playing five-day cricket. "Playing the Irani Cup is something special rather than playing Twenty20 [cricket]," said Dighe. The former India stumper felt the Irani Cup would be a great opportunity for Shaw.
Prithvi Shaw will play in the Indian Premier League for Delhi Daredevils where former Test player Pravin Amre heads the talent wing. Amre knows how important the Irani game is, considering his 246 for the Rest against Bengal in 1990-91 propelled him into national reckoning. "The Irani Cup is huge because it's a clash between the Ranji Trophy winner and the cream of Indian cricket, so he (Shaw) should play the Irani Cup game," remarked Amre.
Also Read: IPL 2018: Excited to learn from coaches like Ricky Ponting, Pravin Amre, says Prithvi Shaw
However, Amre, who is also MCA's Cricket Improvement Committee chief, said: "In future, we will plan the League taking into consideration the availability of maximum players. This year, we had no other option. There is not a single window available and we have to start the tournament." It is learnt that the MCA may request the BCCI to release Shaw for the TTML.
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