I Can't Bat Like Pujara, But...: Prithvi Shaw Says He Needs To Play His Aggressive Game Smarter

The Mumbai-based batter is currently taking part in the 2023 Duleep Trophy, representing West Zone.

Prithvi Shaw of India A during day 4 of the 3rd Four-Day Tour match between South Africa A and India A at Mangaung Oval.

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After making a solid start to his career, India’s young batter Prithvi Shaw is going through a rough patch. The last time he played for India was back in July 2021 in a T20I game against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Despite struggling with his willow, Shaw said he will keep playing aggressive cricket.

The Mumbai-based batter is currently taking part in the 2023 Duleep Trophy, representing West Zone. Shaw feels that what he is today is only because of his aggressive batting style. West Zone made it into the finals of the Duleep Trophy and will be locking horns against South Zone in the summit clash, which will begin from July 12.

“Personally, I feel I don’t have to change my game, but a little smarter than what I am. I can’t bat like Pujara sir bats or Pujara sir can’t bat like me. So, what I am trying to do are those things that have brought me here till, for example, the aggressive batting, I don’t like to change that,” Shaw was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

“I think whichever game for me right now is as important as anything. Even if I’m playing Duleep Trophy or my Mumbai game, I feel it’s very important for me to bring out my best,” Shaw said.

The 23-year-old batter had a below-average IPL 2023 where he scored just 106 runs in eight innings while playing for Delhi Capitals. Talking about his domestic cricket stats, Shaw got 595 runs in 10 innings during the 2022-23 season, including 379 off 383 balls against Assam.

“It’s not that you can always be perfect but I try to work harder after these kinds of things happen. T20 is a bit more slashing, but a similar mindset. Not the similar way as in T20 with me when I am playing red-ball cricket as well.

“What I should try is to play with bowlers, distract them, and force them to give the ball that you want and not the ball that they want to bowl,” he added.