‘Can someone show Prithvi this? It can be done': Pietersen lauds Sarfaraz's fitness overhaul, points out Shaw
Working tirelessly with his father — his lifelong coach — Sarfaraz dedicated the past few months to intense fitness training. Having gone unsold in the Indian Premier League 2025, the batter channelled that disappointment into his weight-loss mission.
In Sarfaraz's absence, Karun Nair was picked by the selection committee for the England tour as the Karnataka batter made his India comeback after eight years.
Former England star Kevin Pietersen praised Sarfaraz's dedication, predicting it would translate to improved on-field performances.
Posting on X, Pietersen wrote: 'Outstanding effort, young man! Huge congrats and I'm sure it's going to lead to better and more consistent performances on the field. I love the time you've spent reorganising your priorities! LFG!'
In a pointed remark, he added: 'Can someone show Prithvi this please? It can be done! Strong body, strong mind!' referencing out-of-form Prithvi Shaw, who has faced persistent criticism regarding his fitness.
Outstanding effort, young man! Huge congrats and I'm sure it's going to lead to better and more consistent performances on the field. I love the time you've spent reorganising your priorities!
LFG! 🚀
Can someone show Prithvi this please?
It can be done!
Strong body, strong… https://t.co/U6KbUXlfVf
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 21, 2025
Shaw was dropped by the Mumbai senior selection committee last year from a Ranji Trophy game due to poor fitness and was prescribed a two-week fitness programme prepared by the MCA trainers. The team management had informed MCA that Prithvi Shaw's body contains 35 percent fat and that he needs rigorous training before he gets back into the side.
Last October, the selection committee of MCA had taken a call that Shaw needed to shed off a few kilos, if he wants to play for the Mumbai team again. His fitness and form never improved and as a result the selection committee decided to drop him from Vijay Hazare Trophy too which was played in December 2024.
Shaw moved away from Mumbai and is set to play for Maharashtra from the next domestic season after receiving a NOC from MCA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
23 minutes ago
- NDTV
'OG Bad Boy': Hardik Pandya's Interaction With Hollywood Superstar Breaks Internet
Indian cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya 's interaction on social media with Hollywood superstar Will Smith has gone viral. Hardik posted a selfie on his Instagram account that quickly got popular among his followers. However, among the many comments, one was from Will Smith who decided to post a 'salute' emoji. Hardik responded with a similar emoji and wrote - 'OG Bad Boy'. It was in reference to Will Smith's popular film 'Bad Boys' which released back in 1995 and became a massive hit. Earlier, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya met Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on Sunday. Sharing a post on X, Radhakrishnan expressed his delight after meeting both the players and said, "Delighted to meet our respected Indian Cricket Team Players Shri. @hardikpandya7 Ji and Shri. @krunalpandya24 Ji today at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on a courtesy meet. My best wishes." Hardik Pandya, after a successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans, returned to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He took GT to secure their first maiden IPL title in 2022, and finished as runners-up in the following year. He returned to MI in 2024, where he had a tough outing. MI failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs. In 2025, IPL Pandya took MI to the Qualifier 2, where Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front as PBKS completed a convincing chase to beat MI by five wickets, thus booking their place in the final of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 18th edition final against Punjab Kings. Krunal, who Bengaluru acquired for Rs 5.75 crore, unleashed every weapon from his fully-loaded arsenal in the high-stakes final and left the spectators spellbound and returning with figures of 2/17 in his four-over spell. He single-handedly broke the backbone of Punjab's attempt to hunt down the 191-run target and steered Bengaluru to a six-run triumph and RCB's first IPL trophy victory. In his memorable outing, Krunal returned with the priceless scalps of Prabhsimran Singh (26) and Josh Inglis (39) to derail Punjab's attempts to chase the target. (WIth ANI inputs)
News18
43 minutes ago
- News18
Watch: N Jagadeesan Shows Off Batting Skills After Replacing Rishabh Pant
N Jagadeesan had a first hit in the nets session after replacing Rishabh Pant in India's playing squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India's optional practice session at the Oval on Tuesday (July 29), two days before the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, might have been marred by Gautam Gambhir's altercation with the head groundsman, Lee Fortis, but it had some other important titbits for the team. One of them was the arrival of Narayan Jagadeesan. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper had his first hit at the nets after joining the squad as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant. In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their official social media accounts, Jagadeesan is seen coming down the stairs of the ground and having a hit against pacers and spinners alongside the rest of his teammates. Pant suffered a foot fracture while batting on the first day of the Test at Old Trafford. Though he came to bat on the following day, he has been advised to rest for the foreseeable future. Recently, he shared photos of his plaster and gave an optimistic statement to his fans. 'Appreciate all the love and good wishes coming my way," Pant said in the post on Instagram. 'It's been a real source of strength. I will begin rehab once my fracture heals and I am slowly settling into the process. Staying patient, following the routines, and giving it my 100%. Playing for the country has always been the proudest moment of my life. Can't wait to be back doing what I love," he added. Will N Jagadeesan play at the Oval? Pant's absence opens a place for another wicketkeeper in India's 11. Jagadeesan has an excellent First-Class record behind him with 3373 runs at an average of 47.50 and a strike rate of 62.40. However, it'll be difficult to see him get straight into the team. There's Dhruv Jurel ahead of him and the UP 'keeper has not only made his debut for India against England at home, but he also has been pretty safe behind the stumps whenever Pant has had to sit out throughout the series. view comments First Published:
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Jasprit Bumrah fit, call on his workload soon: India coach on Oval Test availability
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed on Tuesday that Jasprit Bumrah is "fit", but said a final decision on the fast bowler's inclusion for the Oval Test would be taken after assessing his workload. The fifth and final Test against England, which begins on 31 July at The Oval, will decide the outcome of the Anderson-Tendulkar to the media, Kotak said, "There has been no discussion yet regarding Jasprit Bumrah's inclusion. He is fit at the moment. Based on his workload - he bowled only one innings in the last match - the head coach, physio and captain will consult and make a decision."advertisementBumrah has been India's most effective bowler in the series, claiming 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 26.00 and an economy rate of 3.04. However, his impact has gradually diminished. In the opening Tests at Lord's and Headingley, he bowled with pace and precision, regularly exceeding 140 km/h. But in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, he appeared below his usual intensity, bowling 28 overs for just one wicket, with a noticeable drop in pace. As part of a pre-planned workload management strategy, Bumrah was expected to feature in only three of the five Tests. With four matches completed and the fast bowler having bowled only one innings in Manchester, team management may be tempted to include him in the series finale, especially with India needing a win to level the series squad travelled to London from Manchester on Monday evening and resumed training on Tuesday. While Bumrah is medically fit, the decision on whether he will play is expected to come down to a fitness and workload evaluation led by the medical staff and team leadership. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that all pacers in the squad are currently fit and "high on confidence" heading into what he called a "new game"."If he feels fully fit and available, it would be a big boost for us," said vice-captain Shubman Gill on BBC's Test Match is, however, a strong case for caution. With a packed international calendar ahead - including a home series against the West Indies - the team may opt to manage Bumrah's workload carefully to avoid long-term injury risks. The pacer could be rested after the England tour, particularly if he plays in the upcoming Oval has missed just one match in the series - a game India won.- EndsTune InYou May Also Like
