Being in limelight isn’t new to Prithvi Shaw. Since he scored the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in minor cricket, 546 runs in Harris Shield at the age of 14, eyes have followed him constantly. From the maidans of Mumbai to Mount Maunganui where he lifted the U-19 World Cup, Prithvi Shaw has always been the ‘chosen one’.
He was hailed as the next big thing in Mumbai cricket and then subsequently earned the Test cap where he slammed a hundred on debut for India. With years and vital innings, the legend only grew and Shaw became the ‘next big thing in Indian cricket’.
This reputation earned further stature as he weaved a brilliant 99 runs against the mighty KKR at Eden Gardens. There was flair, there was class and there was the disdain for bowlers. It was like he could play any stroke he wanted to irrespective to what the bowlers were bowling at him.
And as the burden of a IPL hundred ballooned, Shaw lost his focus and was out for 99 runs. The one run he didn’t score didn’t prevent cricket analysts and players from praising the young prodigy for a brilliant knock.
And hence when he walked to the crease on April 01 against KKR although all eyes were on him, it was just like another game for Shaw.
The 99 runs were behind him and he had to start from zero at Mohali.
And that’s what he tried to do on the first ball of the innings against Ashwin. He went for a drive against Ashwin’s off-spin but the ball didn’t turn and held its line. The ball kissed Shaw’s bat and was collected by KL Rahul behind the stumps.
Shaw gone on the first for a golden duck.
They say cricket is a great leveler and Shaw learned it today. A brilliant match-winning knock of 99 runs the other day and now a zero off the first ball.
Life completed a full circle for Prithvi Shaw.
