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Young batsman Prithvi Shaw, in just his second game after returning to action after a six-month injury layoff, smashed a century in his second innings for Mumbai to put them on top against Chhattisgarh in their Group B match of the Ranji Trophy in Raipur on Friday. He hit 18 boundaries and three sixes in his total of 159 in just 185 deliveries. The opener reached three figures before lunch and in the process became the first Indian to score two centuries in the opening session of the first day of a first-class cricket match. He had achieved a similar feat against Assam en route to his 379 off 383 balls, which was the second-highest Ranji Trophy score of all time.
During an interaction, Shaw revealed that he was a bit anxious and pessimistic about his return to action. Shaw said he feared he would be able to hit like he used to before his injury. Notably, Shaw had suffered a knee injury while playing for Northamptonshire in the County Championship.
“I wanted to do well, but somewhere I was wondering whether I would be able to bat with my style or not. Kaise Kheloonga (how I will play), when I would return and whether it would be with a good score or not. These were the thoughts that were going around. But After staying a few hours, things became normal,” Shaw said. The Indian Express.
Shaw also said that doing a “match simulation” helped him overcome the strange feeling.
“I was not nervous but the feeling was a bit ajeeb (strange) when I resumed my batting. However, I did a match simulation and motivated myself to think that everything will be fine. My body language was fine,” he added.
While his century has intensified talks of a possible return to the Indian Test team, Shaw stressed that he is currently focused on helping Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead and I want to stay in the present. There are no expectations, I’m happy to be back playing cricket. I’ve just returned after an injury and I just want to give my best. The aim is to win the Ranji Trophy to Mumbai and I am trying to achieve that by contributing as much as I can in the future,” he further explained.
Coming back to the match, Shaw reached three figures before lunch and in the process became the first Indian to score two centuries in the opening session of the first day of a first-class cricket match.
He had achieved a similar feat against Assam en route to his 379 off 383 balls, which was the second-highest Ranji Trophy score of all time.
(With PTI inputs)
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