The lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt on all sporting events and cricket is no different. Talented India opener Prithvi Shaw would have been keen to show off his skills in the IPL, but is right now spending time at home.
He was sidelined for most of 2019 due to a doping ban and just when the 20-year-old started finding his feet again, came the Covid-19 outbreak. In a TOI exclusive, the Mumbaikar spoke about negative perceptions around him, the lessons he learnt from his doping ban and his idols.
Excerpts:
After a long time, you played for India in New Zealand. Your performance too was decent. You were also picked for the ODI series against South Africa at home. This break must be frustrating …
I think after my comeback into the Indian team, everything was going good. Obviously, Covid-19 has broken that momentum, but you have to be with our country during this situation. We have to be together and accept that this pandemic is there. You have to be at home to stay safe. I’m really hoping that we are going to do this really well and this phase will pass off soon. Yes, I would be playing the IPL if everything was OK. I’m really missing those moments…something which I can’t express in words. I’m really missing cricket and the cricket culture of our country. However, we should take note of the numerous people struggling out there and fighting with this pandemic. Hats off to everyone, especially the doctors, nurses, govt officials and police.
How are you ensuring that you remain fit and stay in touch with cricket?
I am ensuring that I stay fit by following an in-house workout routine. I have a proper diet plan. With respect to my cricket, I am using this time effectively to analyse my previous games and take lessons from it to improve I’m also reading some of the autobiographies of sporting legends.
How difficult is isolation? What do you do?
Apart from fitness, I’m trying to learn how to cook. I play some carrom. I’m watching some of my old videos and analysing th