JOIN USYoung batsman Prithvi Shaw dismissed speculations that indiscipline forced his premature return from the Australia tour and insisted that it was only because of slow recovery from an ankle injury.
Shaw had sustained the injury while fielding in a practice game and initially it was said that he would be available from the third Test onwards.
However the 19-year-old was sent back and it was believed that it was because the youngster was losing focus.
"These are rumours, so I will better let it go," Shaw said during an open media session of IPL team Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
When he was probed about him not working hard enough during his rehabilitation, Shaw's answer was curt.
"No one told me anything about not working hard. I wanted to play but got injured. I thought I could play the third Test (in Melbourne) but then my progress of recovery was slow," said the Mumbai opener, who hit a hundred on his Test debut.
"If you have had a look at my ankle, you would have known that it was really painful. It wasn't healing quickly and I had to return."
Speaking about his time at the NCA, Shaw said: "I mean everything was perfect over there (NCA). I did a lot of sessions. I was working to get fit before the Mushtaq Ali T20 as I wanted to get used to the T20 format and then go to the IPL. That's how I had planned my two months of rehab."
He has been a specialist opener but Shaw has no issues if he required to bat in the middle order for India in the limited overs.
"For India, it is all about whatever number they want me to bat and not the other way round," he said.
However, he did speak about how the mindset changes.
"When I open the innings in limited overs, my mindset is different. Two men outside 30-yard circle and powerplay overs but when I am going down the order, it will obviously change. I watch a lot of experienced players. I watch if I go at number five, what will I do there? It's all about mindset, how you approach that situation."
He has been with the Indian team only during two series but felt comfortable after coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli made him feel at home.
"I have learnt a lot. I mean I was a bit nervous when I first entered that (Indian) dressing room with players having 10 years of experience sitting in front of me. When the skipper and coach said that there are no seniors or juniors, you then kind of open up and irritate them with your questions," he said.