Legend backs Prithvi Shaw in spite of slump

Used as Delhi Capitals’ impact player on Saturday, Prithvi looked cold after not taking part during his side's fielding innings, running himself out for a duck in a defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Scoring just 34 runs across five innings and only reaching double figures twice, the unforced error continues a barren run for the opener, who has not taken the field for India in close to two years.

Despite the the stretch of bad form, Watson, Prithvi’s assistant coach at the Capitals, says the 23-year-old is still one of the finest young players in the country, and can break out of the rut by playing with no inhibitions.

"The talks with Prithvi has been really just to have the freedom to go out there and trust his skills," Watson began.

"Prithvi is as skilled as any batter in India. The biggest thing for him is to just continue allowing himself to access those skills with no fear about making a mistake or getting out."

Prithvi burst onto the scene for India in 2018, making a hundred on debut in Test whites against the West Indies, off the back of captaining his country to an U19 Cricket World Cup win in the same year.

The right-hander went on to play both white-ball formats for India as well, though has not made an appearance since July 2021.

Watson, eager for Prithvi to show the class that he has showcased in the past, insists those overseeing his play believe in his abilities.

"Players like Prithvi don't just fall out of trees. Someone with his skill doesn't come along that often, and that's why we just want to help him as much as we possibly can to allow him to show the incredible batting skills he has got."

“That's the real big reinforcement we are giving him as a coaching group because we all know the skill he has got. When he is batting at his best, he can take down the best bowlers in all conditions."