'I try to play like him' - Prithvi Shaw opens up about his comparison with Sachin Tendulkar

Amongst the new generation of players which burst out on the international stage, Prithvi Shaw is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects of the sport. The Mumbai youngster has been touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Shaw had quite an eventful start to his career as he gained an appreciation for his performances at the junior level.

Shaw hogged the headlines after leading India to the U19 World Cup in 2018. Moreover, after breaking into the Indian Test side, Shaw proved his mettle and smashed a brilliant ton to mark his arrival to the international scenario. However, 2019 proved to be a forgetful year for the youngster as questions were raised regarding his attitude. To make things worse, he was also handed a doping ban by the BCCI.

However, Shaw has been successful to retaliate and bounce back to pave his way to the national side once again. Earlier this year, Shaw made his ODI debut before returning as an opener in Test cricket as well. On many occasions, Shaw has been compared with the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Be it his strokeplay or batting stance, fans have drawn many similarities between the youngster and the Master Blaster.

Shaw has admitted that Tendulkar has had a big influence on his batting style. He also revealed that Tendulkar has always told the youngster to play his natural game and stay calm off the field too. Shaw also hailed Tendulkar as the ‘God of cricket’.

‘Tendulkar is the God of cricket’: Prithvi Shaw

“He (Tendulkar) has had a big influence on me. I first met him when I was eight. He always tells me to play my natural game and according to the situation. Off the field also, he asked me to stay calm,” Shaw said during an Instagram Live chat with his IPL team Delhi Capitals.

“There is pressure when people compare me to him. But I take it as a challenge. I try to play like him. He is the God of cricket,” he said.

Shaw recalled how Tendulkar asked him to never change his grip when he was young. “I am bottom-hand player and Sachin sir had asked me not to change my grip. I was young and I used to change my grip as per coaches’ advice. But after Sachin sir told me, I did not change my grip,” said Shaw.