India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin describes the actual condition of Prithvi Shaw, who has been ruled out of the 1st Test against Australia starting December 6 after twisting his ankle. He said that the young prodigy has not spoken much after the injury and it has hit him pretty bad.
During the chat with the reporters about Shaw at the end of day two of the tour game against Cricket Australia XI at Sydney, Ashwin said, “It (ankle) is sore and clearly swollen up a little bit. It is quite sad that it happened right at the first time he came out to field. He has not spoken much and it has hit him pretty bad. For a young boy, coming to play in Australia and with a dream start to his Test career and all that, it must be quite hard.”
Shaw got injured while attempting a catch at the deep midwicket boundary and was carried off the field by team physiotherapist Patrick Farhart and a member of the support staff. He returned from the hospital with a strapped left ankle and with the assistance of crutches, which sent an ominous message to onlookers. A couple hours later, it was revealed that Shaw had sustained an injury in his ankle ligament.
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The Mumbai opener had hit 11 fours during his 69-ball 66 on day one at the SCG, but this injury has come as a massive setback for India. However, Ashwin reckoned that as unfortunate as it is for Shaw, it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up.
Ashwin further added, “Look, I shouldn’t be saying this, but It is unfortunate what has happened and these things happen in the game. and It is an opportunity for some else. I do believe things happen for a reason, and if it has happened for the right reason, I am happy for it.”
In the absence Shaw, who was a sure shot in India’s playing XI come Adelaide Test, Murali Vijay, who was dropped during the tour of England, seems set to open the innings with KL Rahul in the first Test, unless the team management opts to play either Rohit Sharma or Parthiv Patel as an opener.
