DNA EXCLUSIVE | I think I am ready, says India's U-19 World Cup-winning captain Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw's maturity as a cricketer can be seen through his exploits on the field. Only less than two weeks, he led India to ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup triumph in New Zealand with his team staying unbeaten.

But he is beginning to mature as a person, and that can be seen with the deals that he is beginning to bag and the papers he has to sign to endorse products.

On Thursday, a day after playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 50-overs tournament, Group C matches in Chennai, Shaw was back in his home city doing a photo shoot for nutritional supplements Protinex and launching its 'protein calculator'.

Though not playing with the straight bat in front of the camera like he is used to on the cricket field, the 18-year-old is getting adjusted to the flashlights and posing for the camera, learning to speak highly about the product while also listening to the cameraman's instructions to 'turn left', 'keep head a little low', 'turn slightly to the right', 'keep body upright', etc on the earplugs.

The 'next best thing in Indian cricket', Shaw was all smiles when watching a small audio-visual of his best World Cup moments at the launch of the product on Thursday. And at the end of it, clapped for himself while saying "thank you" to those who compiled it.

It was indeed a laudable effort by Shaw and his team in New Zealand. But, the person that he is, Shaw is not banking on past glory. He is not looking far ahead, either. His immediate sight is the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal in New Delhi (Palam ground) next Wednesday.

NOT RESTING ON LAURELS

"I think the Under-19 World Cup is history now," Shaw tells DNA in an exclusive chat. "All the memories we have created are still in our minds. All those things that Rahul (Dravid) sir and all the other support staff told during the journey of the World Cup are all there. But, we have to move on at some point. Personally, I am looking forward the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal."

Among the many abiding memories of the junior World Cup was the 'hypnosis' celebration after winning the final, and before lifting the Cup. "Such a celebration happens in FIFA PS4 games. After a player scores a goal, his celebration is like that. When four or five runs were needed to win the final, we decided that we would celebrate that way," Shaw revealed of the moment in which he gathered all his team-mates in front on him and gave an imaginary push that made it look like he has telekinetic power, with his mates falling backwards.

LIFE LESSONS FROM DRAVID

Along with the fun that Shaw and his team had were also some serious life lessons learnt under Dravid. "Under Rahul sir, we learnt that if you are disciplined on the field, it is really important how to be disciplined off the field as well. Rahul sir has vast experience, he has travelled everywhere, and he has 10 years of IPL experience as a player and mentor. He has lots of experience on how to behave on the field and off the field. All those things really helped when he was talking to us. And, we are on his path," Shaw said.

Shaw, who aggregated 261 in five innings in the World Cup at 65.25 with two fifties and a best of 94 in the opening game against Australia, picked up the "lifting the World Cup for the country" as the best moment of the quadrennial event.

But he remembered the 203-run semifinal win against Pakistan for executing the plans to the last letter. "Against Pakistan, we had a good attitude on the field and the intensity was high," Shaw said. "We knew we had a good team and all the plans were well executed by all the players. It really helped the team as well. It was a team work throughout the World Cup journey. Every member of the team including all the support staff deserved the World Cup," he said.

With all the attention on him after joining the list of Mohammed Kaif, Virat Kohli and Unmukt Chand as India's U-19 World Cup-winning captain, Shaw has managed to focus on his game and let nothing affect him.

When asked how life has changed after the World Cup, Shaw said: "It is common. Obviously, when you win the World Cup for the country, the media comes to you, the cameras are on you. It is normal. As you grow up, as you do good things, it (attention) will come. I still have to grab the opportunities that are coming ahead. This is not the end," he said.

BIG STAGE BECKONS

Having shown glimpses of his class when he took on the senior international bowlers including New Zealanders Tim Southee and Trent Boult during a warm-up game last October, Shaw said he is ready for senior cricket.

"I think I am ready," he said after giving a thought when asked if he was ready for senior international. "I am doing my job. It is all about how much you score, how fit your are at that level. Maybe the selectors are looking at me. I have to grab the opportunities."

The transformation from Under-19 to senior level was done with aplomb at the domestic level. He has accumulated five hundreds and three fifties in nine first-class matches.

Shaw said he was nervous during his Ranji debut but never afterward. "The pressure was only in my Ranji Trophy debut (2016-17 semifinal against Tamil Nadu in Rajkot). I was nervous as I had come back from the U-19 Asia Cup. I still remember, we just won the U-19 Asia Cup and we came back to Mumbai. Suddenly, the selectors called me for the Ranji Trophy semifinal. It was an opportunity for me to score runs at the higher level. I missed out on the first innings (4) but made up in the second innings (120). It was possible due to the experienced players in the team encouraging me and taking the pressure off me," Shaw looked back.

With a century on Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy debuts, Shaw is on track to emulate Sachin Tendulkar for a century on Irani Cup debut also. But he is not burdening himself with the weight of expectations.

"I am a person who likes to be in the present. When the time comes to play Irani Cup, if I get the chance, I will make sure I will do my best," he said.

AND THEN THERE IS IPL

Shaw is one of those U-19 cricketers who will make his maiden appearance in IPL, with Delhi Daredevils bidding for him for Rs 1.20 crore at last month's auctions. He is sure of himself not getting into the bad habits in IPL and make the most in the presence of head coach Ricky Ponting and batting coach Pravin Amre among others.

"I am well matured to handle all those things. I will make sure I will not go in the wrong path. I will get experience playing in IPL. I will talk with Ricky Ponting sir, Pravin Amre sir and all the other support staff. I will enjoy over there. But the main thing is that I am going to play for DD. It is going to be great fun," he said before preparing himself for another photo shoot and a final media interview for the day.