IND vs SL: “The way Prithvi Shaw plays, it reminds me of someone like Virender Sehwag” – Muttiah Muralitharan

IND vs SL: “The way Prithvi Shaw plays, it reminds me of someone like Virender Sehwag” – Muttiah Muralitharan

Prithvi Shaw and Muttiah Muralitharan

Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has leapt massive praises for young opening batsman Prithvi Shaw ahead of the IND-SL limited-overs series. He reckoned that the 21-year-old’s playing style reminds him of one of the most destructive openers of all time, Virender Sehwag.

Prithvi Shaw is currently a part of the 20-member squad for the six-match limited-overs series between India and Sri Lanka. The two sides are set to lock horns from July 18 with the maiden ODI game at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo. The right-hander is expected to open the innings with skipper Shikhar Dhawan, ahead of Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

The legendary spinner stated that Shaw is a risk-taking player and comfortably puts the bowling side under pressure. Muralitharan also said that the Mumbai cricketer can leave a great impact on the game even if his innings accounts for a small duration.

“As for Prithvi Shaw, he is a better one-day and T20 player than a Test player because the way he plays, it reminds me of someone like Sehwag. He takes a lot of risks and he puts the bowling side under pressure. If he scores, India will have a good chance of winning because he can score a huge total within a short frame of time. He’s got the talent and he is fearless. He has no fear of getting out,” Muralitharan told ESPNCricinfo.

“Prithvi Shaw will be very dangerous”

Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw

Shaw has been in dream form since the start of 2021 as he amassed 827 runs at an average of 165.4 in this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy. Moreover, he looked in solid shape while playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) during the first phase of IPL 2021.

The former cricketer opined that Shaw can be the aggressive batsman while Dhawan can take the role of an anchor during India’s innings. 

“India should encourage him to do that because you need players to win matches. He will be very dangerous. Shikhar can go on normally. I know him very well because he was with Sunrisers and a good performer. So he can go normally and Prithvi can damage the bowling if he stays at the wicket. That’s a big advantage of India,” Muralitharan added.

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