Prithvi Shaw's talent has never been in question. The young right-handed batter is among the handful of cricketers who boast the potential to destroy any bowling attack, especially during the powerplay overs. The Mumbai batter has scored loads of runs in domestic competitions but for some strange reason, he continues to be overlooked when it comes to his selection for Team India. The major reason behind Shaw's agonising wait for a national call-up once again is the right-handed batter's disciplinary problems.
Former India captain and two-time World Cup winner, Gautam Gambhir came to Shaw's rescue and hit out at the coach, selectors and management for the way they have handled the 23-year-old.
"What are coaches there for? What are selectors there for?" Gambhir asked on Star Sports.
"Not to just select the squad or probably to do those throw-downs or make them ready for the game. Ultimately it's the selectors and coaches and management who should try and help these guys. Someone like Prithvi Shaw, we all know the kind of talent he has. Probably they should get him on the right track and that is what one of the jobs of management is.
Shaw, who has played five Tests, six ODIs and one T20I for India, last featured in the international arena on July 25, 2021, when he made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka.
Gambhir urged India head coach Rahul Dravid, who worked with Shaw during his coaching stint with the Under-19 team, to establish communication with the Mumbai batter.
"I feel that if that's the case (fitness and lifestyle problems), someone - whether it's Rahul Dravid or the chairman of selectors - should actually have a word with him, give him clarity and keep him around the group. People who should be on the right path should be around the group, so that they are monitored better. Because the moment you leave them apart, they can go all over the place," the former India opening batter observed.
"Someone like a Prithvi Shaw, the kind of start he had to his international career and the kind of talent he has, you back a player on talent. Yes, you have to look at the upbringing as well - where he comes from and the challenges he's had as well. It makes even more sense for the management and the selectors to keep him around the mix, and help him get on the right track," he added.
Apart from underlining what the coach and the management needs to do, Gambhir also urged Shaw to be more proactive and keep the main thing the main thing.
The former KKR and Delhi Capitals captain Shaw also needs to show some maturity and hunger to play for the country.
"If you're dedicated and passionate enough to play for the country, you've got to be able to get all the parameters right, whether it's the fitness or discipline as well. It's got to be both ways. You've got to give a young boy at least one chance or a couple of chances, and if he still doesn't do that, then he's not passionate enough to play for the country and probably you can look beyond him," the cricketer-turned-politician observed.
"But if he's willing to put in the hard yards - and I know how destructive he can be; if he can go on to win games for you, whether it's trainers, management, head coach or chairman of selectors, all these guys should take the onus to try and get these young boys walk on the right path," he added.
