'Prithvi was Special at 7': Coach Raju Pathak shares incredible Prithvi Shaw Story, Trusts Player for India comeback | Exclusive

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Prithvi Shaw still has the time on his side and can make a strong comeback if he wants, reckons his school team coach Raju Pathak.

Raju Pathak, a prominent name in the Mumbai Cricket fraternity, has shaped some top names in their formative years. He was the school coach of many players - Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prithvi Shaw, Armaan Jaffer, and even coached Rohit Sharma in his college days.

A veteran who has a sharp eye for identifying talent, Raju Pathak reminisced his memories with Prithvi, who joined him only as a kid at the Rizvi Ground in Bandra Reclamation. In an exclusive chat with MyKhel, Pathak shared a unique story of Prithvi's confidence and talent even at that tender age.

"There were nets of our school at the ground in Bandra Reclamation. I was the head coach and this kid came with his father one day. I took him to the nets. He was very young. He was 7-8 years old. I told him you practice with the Juniors. But he was adamant, he kept on saying 'I will practice with seniors'.

As a coach, I couldn't allow that as an injury could have happened. As he went in the junior nets, he played only two deliveries and what I saw convinced me of his talent. He was so special even at 7 and I sent him to practice with the seniors. And surprisingly, he did pretty good with those boys."

A player who has been blessed with immense talent, Prithvi has found himself in a pickle. He is out of the Indian team, and indiscipline and fitness issues meant the batter couldn't get a deal in the IPL. But Pathak believes the player derailed because of a lack of guidance at his teenage years and thinks he has the ability to make a strong comeback.

"Prithvi is immensely talented. But talent alone isn't enough; you need discipline and guidance, especially at a young age. Losing his mother early in life was a big blow for him, and he didn't have someone consistently guiding him through the distractions that came with fame and money.

However, I firmly believe Prithvi has the ability to make a strong comeback. He's still young. If he works hard, focuses on fitness, and avoids distractions, he can once again become a key player for India," Pathak concluded.