India’s stand-in skipper, Hardik Pandya handed the T20I series-winning trophy to the youngster, Prithvi Shaw after the hosts defeated New Zealand in the deciding match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. India registered a dominating 168-run win over New Zealand in the third T20I on February 1 owing to the record-breaking center from Shubman Gill. Gill played an unbeaten knock of 126 to power India to 234/4.
Along the way, Shubman Gill surpassed Virat Kohli (122*) to record the highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is. Gill also became the only fifth Indian to surpass the three-figure mark in all formats after Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli. In reply, Hardik Pandya took four wickets, and Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, and Shivam Mavi picked two each to bundle out New Zealand for 66.
Captain @hardikpandya93 collects the @mastercardindia trophy from BCCI president Mr. Roger Binny & BCCI Honorary Secretary Mr. Jay Shah 👏👏
Congratulations to #TeamIndia who clinch the #INDvNZ T20I series 2️⃣-1️⃣ @JayShah pic.twitter.com/WLbCE417QU
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2023
Prithvi Shaw failed to feature in the XI during the T20I series, having last played a T20I in July 2021. Ahead of the three-match series, captain Hardik Pandya said that Shaw will have to wait for his opportunity as Gill had been performing well.
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Talking about the youngster, during the pre-series press conference, Hardik Pandya said, “Prithvi Shaw will have to wait for his opportunity as Shubman Gill has done very well and was already part of the T20 team.”
Despite a string of promising performances in domestics, Shaw has not been able to break into India’s playing XI. Meanwhile, former selector Saba Karim stated that being with the team will help build Shaw’s discipline.
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As per the quotes in News18, Saba Karim said, “It’s good that you have brought back Prithvi Shaw into the system. If he stays with the team then it will build discipline inside him. You can monitor or guide him. Rahul Dravid is there. It’s not necessary to play him. I accept that he has talent and ability.”
