Prithvi Shaw's Journey: Coach Raju Pathak Discusses Talent And Comeback Potential

Prithvi Shaw's school coach, Raju Pathak, believes Shaw can make a strong return to cricket. Pathak, a respected figure in Mumbai cricket, has coached many notable players. He recalls Shaw's early days at Rizvi Ground in Bandra Reclamation, where his talent was evident even as a child.

Pathak has been instrumental in nurturing several cricket talents, including Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rohit Sharma during their formative years. His experience in identifying potential is well-regarded within the cricket community.

Pathak shared an anecdote about Shaw's determination and skill at a young age. "There were nets of our school at the ground in Bandra Reclamation. I was the head coach and this kid came with his father one day. I took him to the nets. He was very young. He was 7-8 years old. I told him you practice with the Juniors. But he was adamant, he kept on saying 'I will practice with seniors'.

Initially hesitant due to safety concerns, Pathak allowed Shaw to join senior practice after witnessing his exceptional talent during junior sessions. "As he went in the junior nets, he played only two deliveries and what I saw convinced me of his talent. He was so special even at 7 and I sent him to practice with the seniors. And surprisingly, he did pretty good with those boys."

Despite his talent, Shaw faces challenges like indiscipline and fitness issues that have affected his career prospects, including missing out on IPL opportunities. Pathak attributes these struggles to a lack of guidance during Shaw's teenage years.

"Prithvi is immensely talented. But talent alone isn't enough; you need discipline and guidance, especially at a young age. Losing his mother early in life was a big blow for him, and he didn't have someone consistently guiding him through the distractions that came with fame and money."

Pathak remains optimistic about Shaw's future in cricket if he focuses on improving fitness and avoiding distractions. "However, I firmly believe Prithvi has the ability to make a strong comeback. He's still young. If he works hard, focuses on fitness, and avoids distractions, he can once again become a key player for India," Pathak concluded.