Mumbai's teen sensation Prithvi Shaw (105) slammed his fourth first-class century in five matches as the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions reached 264 for six against Odisha at stumps on Day One of their Group 'C' encounter in Bhubaneswar yesterday. Prithvi, 17, felt he should have capitalised on his hundred. "I would have loved to carry on with my innings, but the ball kept low and I got out. I'm feeling bad that I failed to convert my ton into a bigger score," Prithvi told mid-day from Bhubaneswar yesterday.
Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw square drives one against TN during the Ranji Trophy match at Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground in Mumbai last month. Pic/Sameer Markande
'I'm not losing focus'
Just five runs after reaching the three-figure mark, Prithvi departed, trapped leg before by pacer Basant Mohanty. Is he losing his focus after reaching the three-figure mark? "I am trying to focus, but it was that particular ball. I don't think I am losing my focus, but I need to do better after getting to a century," he added. Put in to bat, Mumbai were on the back foot when Mohanty clean bowled opener Akhil Herwadkar (14).
Vital stand
However, a 136-run partnership for the second wicket between Prithvi and the experienced Ajinkya Rahane (49) saved Mumbai from an early blemish. Even during the partnership, it was Prithvi, who scored majority of the runs dominating the Odisha bowlers with ease. He slammed 18 fours during his 153-ball stay at the crease. Prithvi, who made his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final clash last season, stitched a partnership with Rahane for the first time.
No luck for Rahane
He said: "It was a really good learning experience playing with him. He spoke to me between every over and appreciated my game after every ball. He did boost my confidence by saying, 'back yourself and keep playing.'" Rahane, who scored four half-centuries in his last four ODI outings for Team India, missed out on his fifty after spending three and a half hours in the middle. He smashed eight fours. After Rahane's dismissal Mumbai lost Suryakumar Yadav (23), Siddhesh Lad (33) and Abhishek Nayar (4) within 64 runs.
