Think before comparing Prithvi Shaw with Virender Sehwag: Gautam Gambhir
Discarded batsman says each has his own individuality and that Shaw will have more challenges ahead of him
Prithvi Shaw's great start to his international career with a century on Test debut against West Indies last week have not surprised many. And his Delhi Daredevils' captain Gautam Gambhir is one of them.
Having excluded himself from the playing XI in the middle of 2018 Indian Premier League due to poor form to give the diminutive Mumbaikar an opportunity to face the new white ball, Gambhir, along with many others, is impressed with the youngster.
"Obviously, he's impressive. He's very talented and that's why he is there. He started off his Test career on a very good note but there will be far bigger and far difficult challenges waiting for him," he said at a promotional event on Wednesday.
The discarded batsman also slammed people who compared Shaw to the retired dashing opener Virender Sehwag. "Whoever is comparing (Prithvi with Viru) needs to think before comparing. I think ultimately you should know to not compare anyone with anyone. He has just started his career and there is a long way to go. I have never believed in comparisons. He has his own individuality and Sehwag has his own individuality. He has just played one match and Sehwag has played around 100 Test matches," he added.
The 36-year-old believed that Shaw has the ability to succeed in the forthcoming tour of Australia. "I hope so and I think it is important for any opening batter to succeed in Australia because that is where India has struggled in England because there were not good enough opening partnerships. If you want to succeed overseas or anywhere, you need a good platform. I am sure he is going to work really hard because Australia is going to be really challenging," said Gambhir.
Even as India will be leaving for Australia next month, Gambhir said that any team to succeed overseas needs adequate time to prepare in those conditions.
"England could manage to win in Australia because they went one month early. They played three or four warm-up matches. If you are going overseas, your bowlers should have bowled 80 or 100 overs so your body gets used to it and your batters need runs under their belt. If you go to Australia and playing against Mitchell Stark and Pat Cummins, you have to be ready. They need to rectify those mistakes made in England.
"It has got to be a challenge (in Australia). We talk about the batting because they don't have Smith and Warner but they still have formidable batting in their backyard. They have really exciting players like Shaun Marsh or Aaron Finch. Plus, they have the bowling attack to hurt any opposition. They have the best off-spinner in the world right now. It will not be a cakewalk. Playing Australia in Australia will be a threat," Gambhir warned Virat Kohli & Co.
Asked if the time is right to give Rishabh Pant opportunities in white ball cricket as MS Dhoni is in his twilight years of his career, Gambhir said: "There's never been a right time and there's never been a wrong time. It really depends on the combination and ultimately, it's a performer that will keep you in the side. If MS continues to do well, obviously he should be playing but if someone else does well I think that's where it has got to be."
On the lack of communication issue that cropped up when Team India players Murali Vijay and Karun Nair accused BCCI's selection committee headed by MSK Prasad over their exclusions, Gambhir said: "BCCI needs to answer this question and not the individual. It's not up to me. Players say something different and BCCI says something different. It is not about cricket. Even if you get sacked, you will demand an explanation. It is in every profession."