#IndiaInAustralia: Prithvi Shaw ruled out of first Test versus Australia
India have been dealt with a severe blow ahead of the first Test against Australia, starting December 6. In-form batsman Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out of the match, to be held in Adelaide. Shaw suffered an ankle injury while fielding on the boundary in the tour match against Cricket Australia XI. Here is more on the same.
Shaw suffers lateral ligament injury.
The youngster had to be carried off the field and taken to hospital for a scan. It was then confirmed that he suffered a lateral ligament injury. He was fielding at deep mid-wicket fence and was trying to take a catch, when he got injured.
BCCI confirms the same
In-form Shaw looked in fine touch while batting
Earlier, Shaw had struck the right cords in the tour match against Cricket Australia XI. The youngster smashed a 69-ball 66 on day two of the warm-up match between the visitors and Cricket Australia XI. His brisk knock was laced with 11 fours. The dashing youngster came into the match after smashing two fifties against New Zealand A, recently, away from home.
Shaw has built a reputation in a short period
Shaw has already built a reputation in a short span. The teenager hit a century on debut and went on to smash 70 and 33* in the second Test versus West Indies. Shaw has the potential to become a regular opener. He is touted to be the next big thing. However, India will now miss the services of Shaw in the Adelaide Test.
Big problem for India as far as opening is concerned
The problem now for India is that their openers will be tested severely. Shaw was the in-form player and was backed to provide the desired start. Now Murali Vijay is likely to open alongside struggling KL Rahul. Both these batsmen struggled in South Africa and England this year. Will skipper Virat Kohli prefer Rohit Sharma to open the batting? Let's wait and watch.