Prithvi Shaw slams maiden triple century for Mumbai against Assam, but misses out on 400 through dubious decision; takes it in his stride as he becomes the second highest individual scorer in Ranji Trophy annals
Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw celebrates his triple century against Assam at Guwahati yesterday. Pic/PTI
It was Prithvi Shaw’s day in Guwahati on Wednesday. Yet again, after his Tuesday’s double century against Assam in Mumbai’s Group ‘B’ Ranji Trophy game. Shaw went on to slam 379 to become the second highest individual scorer in the national championship. Thus, Shaw took fellow Mumbaikar Sanjay Manjrekar’s (377 v Hyderabad in 1990-91) place in the list headed by Maharashtra’s Bhausaheb Nimbalkar, who scored 443 against Kathiawar in 1948-49. Thanks to Shaw and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (191) Mumbai were in the driver’s seat at the Amingaon Cricket Ground. The visitors amassed 687-4 declared and had the hosts 129-1 at stumps on the second day.
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Was that out?
Shaw, who smashed 49 fours and four sixes during his 383-ball stay at the wicket, was on the verge of 400 before being declared LBW off leg-spinner Riyan Parag. If the Decision Review System (DRS) was used in domestic games, Shaw would have survived because the ball was going down the leg side.
“I was very close to it [400]. But in cricket, people say that you only need one ball to get out. I don’t normally feel hurt, but today [Wednesday] I am hurt because I was so close to 400,” said Shaw, adding that he didn’t think the umpire made a mistake. “On field they [sic] felt the ball was hitting the stumps and gave the decision. There was no DRS too. But it’s okay, it’s part of the game,” Shaw told mid-day on Wednesday from Guwahati.
“When I saw the video later in the evening, it [ball] was missing the stumps. I told the umpire that the ball was missing the stumps, but he felt otherwise. However, the match referee [Arindam Sarkar] said, ‘You are right, it was missing the stumps.’”
‘I took a fresh start’
Asked about how he planned his innings, Shaw explained: “I took a fresh start. I left my 240 runs in the dressing room. As the ball was new, there was a little movement initially. I attempted a long innings. My process was the same as I avoided playing rash shots, got runs with straight shots. It felt good [to score a triple hundred]. These two days were really good, but it is history now. I am looking forward to the next two days and then the next games.”
Despite a big knock under his belt, the Mumbai batsman did not view it as a reminder to the national selectors. “It’s not a reminder to anyone. Whatever runs I score, it’s for me. Whatever people say, I keep quiet. If I score runs or don’t score runs, I am the same guy.
Also Read: I was playing with more patience: Prithvi Shaw on scoring 240 in Ranji Trophy
“It [selection] is not in my hands. Scoring runs is in my hands so I will focus on this only rather than on what will happen in the future; whether they will pick me or not. I am playing for Mumbai, so I am thinking of giving my team the best I can. I am leaving that decision to the selectors,” remarked Shaw.
On Tuesday night, he didn’t make his usual diary notes as he went to bed early. However, there’d be some special words inscribed on his 300 runs. Earlier, Shaw and Rahane, who were 240 and 73 respectively overnight, continued their patient approach and stretched their third-wicket stand to 401 runs.
Tweet talk
Surya Kumar Yadav@surya_14kumar: Prithvi Shaw. 379. Madness.
Shreyas Iyer@ShreyasIyer15: Champion player. Too good @PrithviShaw
Sanjay Manjrekar@sanjaymanjrekar: Thrilled that my record of 377 was beaten by a batter I adore! Well done Prithvi!
Venkatesh Prasad@venkateshprasad: A rare and special talent- Prithvi Shaw. Whatever may be the issues that are keeping him away from the team , it’s job of the management to give a chance and have an effective communication with him which helps both him and Team India.
Shishir Hattangadi@shishhattangadi: Almost a run a ball 379 by @PrithviShaw. Don’t worry about failures, when you get in make it count. Simple cricketing logic. Let the pundits judge. You do it your way, Champ.
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