Prithvi Shaw believes he is ready to play for Team India

Prithvi Shaw is now playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

What's the news?

India's Under-19 captain Prithvi Shaw, fresh from leading his team to youth World Cup glory after the win against Australia in the final, believes he is ready to be promoted to the senior side. When asked if he saw himself at the highest level yet, the teenager said, "I think so. I have to keep scoring runs. I have to grab those opportunities to be there in the senior team."

In case you didn't know..

The 18-year-old Shaw became the fourth Indian U-19 captain to lift the coveted trophy in junior cricket, following the footsteps of Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli and Unmukt Chand. Before having left for the World Cup in New Zealand this year, he had already made his first-class and List-A debut for Mumbai.

Having started in the previous season in 2016-17, Shaw confirmed his potential with back to back consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy. In just 3 matches last season, he had hit 424 runs; and this time around, he played 6 games to garner 537 runs. Before all of that, Shaw once held the record for the highest score in school cricket when he had hammered 546 from 330 balls in 2013.

The heart of the matter

The chairman of selectors of the senior India side, MSK Prasad, said that while he and his team have been noticing the performances of Shaw and company for a while now, they would first consider pushing them into the India A side before the senior team.

"We have been following all their matches and they will be considered for the 'A' team. We have been backing a particular set of players and have been consistent in our selection policy for both the senior team and the 'A' team," Prasad had said.

What's next?

The right-handed opener is now busy playing for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He played against Tamil Nadu, scoring only 9 as Mumbai scraped through to a victory.

Author's Take

While Shaw's confidence after bagging school records and lifting the Under-19 World Cup seems natural, it would be too soon to rush him into the national side, especially with India due for challenging tours to England and Australia later this year. He should first be allowed to mature in the domestic set-up and the A side before selecting him in the senior side.