It is quite a stunning fact which fans are unable to grasp their heads around that Prithvi Shaw, the dynamic Mumbai opener, didn’t get a place in the second-string squad for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa.
Shaw, who last played for India on the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka last series as part of a second-string team, has been ransacking run and at a rate better than other openers in the domestic circuit for the last 20 months. However, he’s been consistently ignored by the national selectors and hasn’t been able to find place in the second-string sides that India have fielded regularly.
Despite his terrific List-A numbers – average of 56 and strike rate of 125! with 17 fifty-plus scores in 46 knocks – Prithvi Shaw wasn’t given the nod as the selectors preferred to include the likes of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar over the aggressive Mumbai opener for the ODI series.
I have reduced 7-8 kilos: Prithvi Shaw
Speaking about his selection snub, Shaw admitted he was “disappointed”, but said he can only do his best.
“I was disappointed. I am scoring runs, doing a lot of hard work, but not getting a chance. But, it’s alright. When they feel I am ready, they will play me. Whatever opportunities I get, whether it is for India ‘A’ or other teams, I will make sure I do my best and keep my fitness levels up to the mark,” Shaw was quoted as saying by kheltak.com.
The primary reason which many believe for Shaw’s omission from India’s teams in the past year has been concerns regarding his fitness level. Shaw isn’t amongst the fittest of the capped players. But, the 22-year-old said he’s been working hard on fitness, and has made sacrifices in controlling eating habits.
“I did not work on different things in my batting but did a lot of fitness work. I worked on weight loss and reduced it by seven to eight kgs after the last IPL. I spent a lot of time in the gym, did a lot of running, and didn’t consume any sweets or cold drinks. Chinese food is totally out of my menu now,” Shaw revealed.
Meanwhile, India lost the first ODI to South Africa in Lucknow. Chasing 250 in a 40-over game, India’s top four performed poorly before Iyer, Samson and Shardul revived the innings. Samson dragged the chase till the last over, but it proved too much and India fell short by 9 runs.
