Prithvi Shaw, who rose to fame quickly, found himself sidelined just as rapidly. However, Shreyas Iyer believes that with discipline, the Mumbai batter can still achieve great heights. Shaw showcased glimpses of his talent in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 197 runs in nine matches, although without a single half-century. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, Mumbai clinched the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title for the second time. The team had previously won the title in the 2022/23 season under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership.
‘Prithvi Has Tremendous Talent’
After defeating Madhya Pradesh by five wickets in the final, Shreyas said, “I believe he is a naturally gifted player. He has talent like no one else. He just needs to work on discipline. If he does that, he can reach great heights.”
‘Shaw Must Have the Desire to Get His Career Back on Track’
However, Iyer emphasized that Shaw must have the willingness to put his career back on track. “He’s not a child anymore. He has played enough cricket. Everyone advises him, but, ultimately, he has to figure out what works for him. He has done it before. He needs to stay focused and think things through. He will find the answers himself. Nobody can force him to do anything,” Shreyas added.
Shreyas Praises Rahane’s Contribution
Iyer also praised Ajinkya Rahane’s contribution to the title victory, saying, “He is a player who is ready to give 110 percent for the team. He started at No. 4 and moved aside when Surya came in. Then he even opened the innings. The way he approached every match deserves a salute.” Rahane scored 469 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at a strike rate of 165.
What Happened in the SMAT Final?
In the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Mumbai won the toss and invited Madhya Pradesh to bat first. Rajat Patidar’s half-century helped Madhya Pradesh post 174/8 in 20 overs. In response, Mumbai chased down the target in 17.5 overs, scoring 180/5, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive 48-run knock.