Delhi Capitals (DC) batsman Prithvi Shaw, who shined with the bat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an IPL 2021 encounter, said that he would love to talk to Virender Sehwag if he gets an opportunity because he was also an aggressive batsman.
Delhi Capitals pounded Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets in the match 25 of IPL 14 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
One of the main architects behind Rishabh Pant-led side's victory was young Prithvi Shaw. The swashbuckling batsman set up the chase for DC by smashing six fours in the first over off Shivam Mavi and became the first batsman in T20 cricket to reach the feat in the first over of an innings.
The 21-year-old started his innings in a typical ‘Sehwag’ manner by smashing boundary on the first ball of the innings and then later slammed a 41-ball 82 to help DC to a seven-wicket victory.
While talking at the post-match presentation, Prithvi Shaw, who is often compared to Virender Sehwag, said that he would love to talk to a former Indian opener because he too liked to score from the first ball.
“No, we haven’t spoken yet, but if I get a chance I will speak to Viru sir because he is someone who likes to score from the first ball,” Prithvi Shaw said in a post-match presentation.
While talking about the 25-run first over, Shaw said that he has played with Shivam Mavi for 4-5 years, so he knew where he would bowl.
“I wasn’t thinking anything, to be honest. I was just waiting for the loose ball. I knew where Shivam will bowl to me – we’ve played together for four-five years. Yes, I was prepared for the short ball. I thought one will come at the helmet, but unfortunately, he didn’t bowl a short one,” he said.
Prithvi Shaw revealed his preparations to stopping and turning deliveries in Ahmedabad. He added that when he's in good touch, he only focuses on making the team win.
“I felt on this wicket, especially when the spinner was bowling, it was stopping a bit and naturally it was going over the offside. So, I was waiting for them to bowl at me on off or outside off so that I can free my hands.
"When I think I’m in good touch and I don’t think about the score anymore. When I’m batting, I don’t care about myself, I just want my team to win,” he said.
IPL 2021: WATCH – Prithvi Shaw whacks Shivam Mavi for six consecutive fours in DC’s first over
Prithvi Shaw further credited his father the turnaround post the Australia tour.
“I feel my dad has supported me after I got dropped from Australia. I wasn’t happy with myself and he just told me to play my natural game. All those words set a target for me and I worked hard for me. In cricket, the graph will go up and down for sure,” he concluded.
For his knock of 82 runs, Prithvi Shaw was awarded man of the match. The Rishabh Pant-led side would be hoping that Mumbai batsman keeps his form as he will play a key role going ahead into the tournament.
(NEWS 18 inputs)
