The young Indian prodigy, Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide as he injured his left ankle during the ongoing tour game against Cricket Australia XI in Sydney. He was immediately taken for the scans after and it has been revealed that the youngster has suffered a lateral ligament injury and he will be soon an “intensive rehabilitation program” to become available at the earliest.
Shaw, fielding on the deep mid-wicket boundary on Day 3 of the game, caught CA XI opener Max Bryant just inside the rope and fell over the line during an attempt to keep the ball in play as momentum carried him beyond. The 19-year-old twisted his left ankle while landing and appeared to be in a lot of pain as the Indian physio Patrick Farhart rushed to attend to him. Unable to put any pressure on his ankle, Shaw was carried off the field and taken for scans in the nearest hospital.
ALSO READ: Twitterati trolled Rishabh Pant for posting a picture with Prithvi Shaw
In the first innings on Day 2, Shaw played a decent knock of 66 in the ongoing practice match and was certain to open the batting for India. Even batting coach Sanjay Bangar had all but confirmed the teenager’s participation in the Adelaide Test, indicating that the management would toss up between the misfiring KL Rahul and veteran Murali Vijay to be his partner.
Here is the video of how Shaw got injured:
https://twitter.com/videos_shots/status/1068393237818142720
Prithvi Shaw’s injury means that Vijay and Rahul will be India’s openers in the first Test against Australia. Vijay, who had a forgettable series against England and was dropped for the last two Tests on the tour, has a good Test record in Australia. He scored 482 runs [1 hundred, 4 fifties] on India’s last tour, is one of the kingpins of their impressive showing with the bat.
The Indian team management is yet to name a replacement after Saw’s injury if they do, Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal and recently-dropped Shikhar Dhawan are in line.
Here are some of the reactions of the people on the Twitter who were shocked after his injury:
https://twitter.com/BollywoodGandu/status/1068387779950796807
Even the Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also felt bad about the news as he predicted that this tour will be the same for Shaw what 2003-04 was for Virender Sehwag. He tweeted:
Such disappointing news: @PrithviShaw could miss the first 2 Tests. I had fantasised about this tour being for him what 2003-4 was for @virendersehwag. What a blow!https://t.co/AFGQNRz8V5
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 30, 2018
If @PrithviShaw’s injury is so bad that he might miss even the second Test, India might look to draft Shikhar Dhawan or Mayank Agarwal (who is currently in NZ) into the squad. Meanwhile @ImRo45 also comes into the picture for a place in the first Test
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 30, 2018
#prithvishaw injury a big loss, leaves India with just one batsman @imVkohli who will be high on confidence (less on doubts) going into the #Adelaide test. @PrithviShaw batted brilliantly in the practice match, just 2 tests old but India will miss him. #AUSvIND
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) November 30, 2018
Prithvi Shaw being ruled out of 1st Test worst news for India
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 30, 2018
So hoping young Prithvi Shaw's injury isn't serious.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 30, 2018
Oh, man. This is Prithvi Shaw’s ankle today. Injuries are the worst thing about sport. I’ve done both ankles at basketball. It’s agony and they still give me trouble. Hope the kid can get back to full health. pic.twitter.com/W6s73NUWFa
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) November 30, 2018
Update: The medical team is assessing Prithvi Shaw at the moment. He hurt his left ankle while attempting to take a catch at the boundary ropes. Shaw is being taken to the hospital for scans #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PVyCHBO98e
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 30, 2018
That does not look good. Prithvi Shaw carried off the field. He was on his feet going into the pavillion but in serious discomfort. Was trying to keep his balance on the boundary rope having caught Max Bryant. Potentially a major blow.
— Rick Eyre (@[email protected]) (@rickeyrecricket) November 29, 2018