Gautam Gambhir lashes out at Indian coach for the unfair treatment of Prithvi Shaw in Indian Cricket

One of the biggest puzzles in Indian cricket over the past several months has been Prithvi Shaw’s exclusion from the T20I team. Despite being in excellent form in the shortest format, the Mumbai-born opener has not been chosen for India in any event since July 2021. Shaw was in outstanding form at the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, finishing the competition as the second-highest run-scorer with 336 runs at an incredible strike rate of 181.42.

His discipline has been under question ever since he was suspended in 2019 for a drug offense. According to former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, it is the responsibility of the coaching staff and selectors to maintain the focus of a player of Shaw’s caliber.

“What are coaches there for? What are selectors there for?” Gambhir asked. “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,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.

I feel that if that’s the case: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir appealed to head coach Rahul Dravid, with whom he had previously played at the U19 level, to speak with the child and properly supervise him.

“I feel that if that’s the case [fitness and lifestyle issues], 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.

“Someone like 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,” Gambhir added.