Reports: Prithvi Shaw Asked To Shed A Few More Kilos To Make Comeback In The Indian team
Prithvi Shaw was not picked for the ICC World Test Championship Final and five Tests in England.
The Board Of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI), on Friday announced the 20-member squad for the upcoming World Test Championship 2021 final and five Tests against England.
Meanwhile, one of the most-talked-about omissions from India’s squad to England for the World Test Championship final and the subseuqent England Test series was Prithvi Shaw. Following his brilliant form in now postponed IPL 2021, many were expecting him in the Indian squad for WTC and England series but the selectors think otherwise.
If Pant Can Turn Things Around In A Few Months, Prithvi Too Can Do It: BCCI Source
Meanwhile, a fresh report has revealed that the 21-year-old has been given a wake-up call, stating that he is still slightly overweight. In the 20-member squad, the selectors named four openers — Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, and KL Rahul. They also named Bengal opening batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran as a backup apart from the initial 20 players.
The source, who was quoted by the Times of India, also said that he has the example of Rishabh Pant to learn from. The Indian wicketkeeper, who was dropped from the Indian XI, staged a comeback with performances at the Test level after he reduced his weight significantly.
“Prithvi is still very slow across the turf for a 21-year-old. He needs to shed a few more kilos. He also had concentration issues while fielding in Australia. Shaw has been working hard since he returned from Australia. He has the example of Rishabh Pant right in front of him. If Pant can turn things around in a few months, Prithvi too can do it,” the BCCI source said.
The source further added that Prithvi Shaw is too good a talent to be ignored for long, and will soon make a comeback in the team.
“He has to sustain this form for a few more tournaments. He has often been picked on the basis of one good series and then he has struggled in international cricket. He is too good a player to be ignored for long,” the source said.
Prithvi Shaw’s Brilliant Form Over The Last Few Months
Prithvi Shaw has bounced back strongly after the management axed him from the first Test of the Australia tour. The right-handed batsman had faults associated with his technique and he worked well on those to top the run-scoring charts in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year, amassing more than 800 runs.
Shaw was also in red-hot form for the Delhi Capitals this year. In eight IPL games, Prithvi Shaw scored 307 runs at a healthy strike rate of 166. His blistering knocks at the top were often the difference-maker for DC, helping them claim the top spot before the tournament was suspended indefinitely.
