Prithvi Shaw: From 'New King' to 'Next Legend' of Indian Cricket

Prithvi Shaw, India's prodigious young opener, has been hailed as the "New King" by Australian media ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. His coach, Jwala Singh, has taken the prediction a step further, declaring that Shaw has the potential to become the "next legend" of Indian cricket.

Shaw, 22, is set to make his debut on Australian soil in the upcoming Test series. Despite the formidable challenge, Singh is confident in his student's abilities. "I think that in four or five years, yes, he can become the next legend of Indian cricket," Singh told 'The Sydney Morning Herald'.

Since his Test debut in 2023 against the West Indies, Shaw has amassed 1407 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 56.28. His tally includes three centuries, two of which were converted into double hundreds, and eight half-centuries.

Singh's unwavering belief in Shaw stems from his discovery of the young batsman a decade ago. At the time, Shaw was just 12 years old and struggling to make ends meet in Mumbai. "That small boy came out from the nets, and he just removed his helmet, and I asked him...'Where are you living? Where are you from?' He said, 'I am from Uttar Pradesh, I live in a tent...and I'm staying here alone for cricket," Singh recalled.

Singh was moved by Shaw's determination and promised himself that he would help him fulfill his dreams. "Psychologically, he was very down. His fitness was not that great because he had a knee injury. So if I tell you frankly, it was my passion to make him my (first) India player," Singh said.

Shaw's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and resilience. Despite facing challenges both on and off the field, he has remained focused on his goal of becoming a legendary cricketer. With his exceptional talent and the unwavering support of his coach, Shaw is poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy and beyond.

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