Former Australia World Cup-winning captain Michael
Clarke saw a spark of Virender Sehwag in Prithvi Shaw. The 22-year-old
cricketer made his international debut in 2018 against West Indies with a
brilliant hundred, but he was dropped from the Indian team following a series of
failures. Shaw is yet to find a place in the team. Clarke said the Indian team
management must back Shaw to utilise him as a hard-hitting batter.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Cricket becomes first sport to confirm teams

“He is a terrific player like Sehwag. Sehwag was
a genius, who took the game forward. For someone like me, I love that brand of
cricket. That aggressive batsman at the top of the order. That’s why Sehwag was
one of my favourite players. I would like see India keep faith in him, a player
like Prithvi Shaw, knowing he is young,” Clarke said in the documentary
‘Down Underdogs’ on Sony Ten.

Also Read: India vs West Indies ODI series to be held behind closed doors

Clarke also looked back at Shaw’s performances in
Australia. The Mumbai Ranji Trophy player was dismissed for 0 and 2 in the
pink-ball Test at Adelaide. But the former Australia batter said it was unfair
to expect a rookie to fire abroad at the initial stage of his career.

Shaw was part of India’s 2018/2019 Australia tour but
he was sent back home after he sustained an ankle injury in the practice
session. Two years later, Shaw played his first Test in Australia, which was
also his last till now.

Also Read: Knows conditions well: Darren Sammy backs Kieron Pollard, West Indies for India tour

“It was very hard to have too much expectations
from Prithvi Shaw. He needed more time. It was his first opportunity in
Australia. You want to give him every change to see how he goes but
unfortunately, he missed out in that Test match in Adelaide. It was his first
tour of Australia, and I have no doubt he will come good,” Clarke pointed
out.

Shaw’s last match for India came against Sri Lanka in
a T20I on July 25, 2021.