Prithvi Shaw reveals why he opted to play in County cricket instead of Deodhar Trophy

Prithvi Shaw will turn out for Northamptonshire in County cricket this season.

From a young age, Prithvi Shaw was destined for greatness. He rose to the top with the usual ease. As captain, he won the Under-19 World Cup, and to celebrate his international debut, he scored a century in his first Test against West Indies at the age of 18.

But despite all the talent and performances, Prithvi Shaw hasn't been able to secure a spot in the national side. He has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket and has made a name for himself in the IPL, but he hasn't participated in an international match in the past two years.

He wasn’t named in the Indian squad for the West Indies white-ball leg and as a surprise, he was omitted from the squad that was announced for the Asian Games in China, in which many young talents have been given a chance to shine.

He is now set to skip Deodhar Trophy and travel to the United Kingdom to play for Northamptonshire in the ongoing County Championship.

“I've been going to England since I was a little kid. Before the 2018 Under-19 World Cup as well, we had played there. After that, I played ample games with India A. So, I'm well acquainted with the pitches and conditions there. I scored a lot of runs for India A as well.

This is a new team for me. I'm not aware of what their culture is like. It might take some time to get set to that. I've been in touch with them and they have been quite welcoming towards me. So, I'm hoping it will be a good experience,” Prithvi Shaw told Cricbuzz and Wisden.

He was further asked if he is aiming to make any changes in his technique to counter the conditions in England where the ball swings and seams.

But Prithvi Shaw said that this perhaps is not the right time for him to alter his batting ways and instead, he will look to use the opportunity in county cricket to fully express himself.

“I don't think it will be the right time to make any adjustments to my game now. Whatever adjustments I had to make to my game, has already been done. Once I go there and get my eyes set, I just need to play my natural game... I've been going there since I was 12 years old. I've done six months of schooling in Manchester. I like the country and the people there. They are very nice, I like to spend time there. I have got the opportunity to go over there and express myself,” he added.

Prithvi Shaw is set to play in the remainder of the County Championship and The Royal London Cup (one-dayers) starting in August.

“Nothing huge, just a different experience”- Prithvi Shaw on what he’s looking to get from county stint

The Indian batter had an excellent start to his Test career, where he scored a century against the West Indies in his debut match and came very close to another ton in the second Test as well.

However, his tryst with injuries, and struggles to cope with pace bowling in swinging and seaming conditions due to faults in his technique, and off-the-field distractions have caused Prithvi Shaw to fall down in the pecking order when it comes to Indian team selection.

But he is looking forward to get something out of this county stint with Northamptonshire and revealed his intentions as well.

“I just want to take it as any other game. It's just like the first-class games we play here. nothing huge, just a different experience. Getting an invitation from there means a lot. It's the same - I'll have to go there and score runs for the team because that's what they are expecting from me. Obviously, they have seen me perform and that's why they have called me there. There might be something they think I'm capable of doing. I think I'll have a great time,” Shaw said.

Thus far, Pirthvi Shaw has played 5 Tests, 6 ODIs and 1 T20I for India, scoring 339 Test, 189 ODIs runs and was out for a golden duck on his T20I debut.