After being ignored by the selectors for the past two years, swashbuckling opener Prithvi Shaw has sent a strong message to selectors with back-to-back blistering centuries in the ongoing Duleep Trophy.
Opening for West Zone, last week, Shaw had cracked 113 runs off 121 balls against North East Zone with the help of 11 fours and 5 sixes.
Today, on Friday, he bludgeoned unbeaten 104 runs off 96 balls against Central Zone in the second innings. In his knock, Shaw walloped 11 fours and 3 sixes making his way to a consecutive century in the Duleep Trophy. With the help of Prithvi Shaw’s unbeaten 104, by the end of play on Day 2, West Zone have a lead of 259 runs and they will look to pile up more runs to seal a place in the final.
In the first innings as well, Shaw had torn into the Central Zone bowlers, clattering 60 runs off 78 balls while creaming 10 boundaries. 67 runs from Rahul Tripathi setup West Zone’s total of 257.
In reply, Central Zone were bowled out for 128, with Tanush Kotian and Jaydev Unadkat sharing 6 wickets between them.
In West Zone’s second innings, it was a one-man show: Shaw scored 104* runs off the 130 his side has managed for the loss of three wickets. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane was involved in a 68-run stand with Shaw, in which he scored only 12 runs, while Arman Jaffar’s contribution was just 7 in a 44-run unbroken partnership with the opener who went ballistic from the onset.
Prithvi Shaw’s last match for India came in July 2021, when the selectors had to send a second-string side to Sri Lanka. He hasn’t been part of the Test setup since the Australia tour 2020/21. Shaw has been putting up impactful performances across formats in domestic cricket, but hasn’t got the selection nod; some reports stated that his fitness has gone against him.
Fans on Twitter erupted with his back-to-back centuries and the style in which he’s scored them:
Prithvi Shaw Scores a Century In Just 88 Balls With 11 Fours and 3 Sixes For West Zone In Duleep Trophy. #PrithviShaw #DuleepTrophy
— Krish Sheth (@krishsheth2006) September 16, 2022
If prithvi shaw continues this form he might get a chance in t-20s after t-20 worldcup#PrithviShaw
— Vali Pspk (@pspk_vali) September 16, 2022
That’s pretty outstanding one must say
Never seen this after Sehwag retired #DuleepTrophy #PrithviShaw pic.twitter.com/x6t599pzWw— Pradeep(prady) (@pradytrader1) September 16, 2022
What an amazing inning by #PrithviShaw
Selectors, are you watching ????#DuleepTrophy
— Ritika Sanwal (Pahadan) 🗻 #IPL2022 (@infiniteflames2) September 16, 2022
Not sure if the plan to ignore #PrithviShaw is long term or will end 🔜
Mind you he is the next #SachinTendulkar or #ViratKohli𓃵 of #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter #Cricket https://t.co/Amm1WMRmi4— Nasir 🏏 (@Nasir0271) September 16, 2022
Prithivi Shaw has played 43 dot balls, If we not include that dot balls, Then he scored a Ton from just 45 balls.#PrithviShaw #CricketTwitter https://t.co/DLBDI09ypU
— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) September 16, 2022
Prithvi Shaw and the board need to sort out the issues off the field.
Would have been perfect for India’s template in the T20 World Cup#CricketTwitter #PrithviShaw
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu 🏏 (@APTalksCricket) September 16, 2022
Good to see Prithvi Shaw back in contention although it’s for Ind A squad
Exactly the kind of impact and attacking batter that Indian team needs top of the order
Still baffles me how this guy hasn’t got much chances!!! India’s loss though!!! 🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️#PrithviShaw pic.twitter.com/hC4LOjh5HG
— Shikhar (@its_me_shikhar) September 16, 2022
