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With less than 10 days for the start of the Sri Lanka series, Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw has opened up on his relationship with the interim head coach Rahul Dravid who has accompanied the Shikhar Dhawan-led side to the island nation. While Shaw not only admitted that Dravid brings a lot of experience to the table and shares his rich cricketing insights, he revealed that he got a call from the former India captain even when he had received a ban for doping.
Recalling the incident, Shaw stated that it felt good that somebody of the stature of Dravid had reached out to him even during his bad phase. He further said that he is looking forward to picking his brain and talking to him for hours during the Sri Lanka series.
It felt really nice that Dravid talked to me even during my bad phase: Shaw
It was in June last year when Shaw got banned for eight months for a doping violation. BCCI took the action after the batsman had "inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups”. Shaw, who bounced back strongly after serving the ban, has now revealed how Dravid's words helped him during the tough time.
"When I got banned for doping, he called and said, 'This is part of life. It’s ok. It wasn’t my fault and I will come back stronger.' It felt really nice that he talked to me even during my bad phase," Shaw told The Indian Express.
"As Rahul sir is there, one will expect discipline in the dressing room. I’m looking ahead to the practice sessions with Rahul sir because I love to speak to him for hours. This tour, I just have to grab the opportunity," he added.
Indian team in UK looking at Shaw as a replacement option for Gill
Meanwhile, reports emerging from the United Kingdom suggest that the Virat Kohli-led side who are preparing for the five-match Test series in England are looking at Prithvi Shaw as a potential candidate to replace Shubman Gill who has aggravated an internal injury. Although nothing from the official sources have been confirmed yet, a decision needs to be taken quickly owing to quarantine requirements if Shaw flies to England.