Prithvi Shaw was yet again ignored by India as his name was nowhere to be found in the 16-member squad confirmed for the ODI series against South Africa. Shaw’s omission was met with fury on social media, as the fans were unable to decipher why the current team management is not picking the best young opener at their disposal.
Shaw boasts an astounding List A average of 56.04, and his strike rate of 124.19 makes him among the most explosive opening batter around. Given India’s dynamic shift from its conservative approach, it hardly makes sense to ignore Shaw.
The 22-year-old played his last game for Team India in 2021, against Sri Lanka. He has been among the most consistent opening performers in the Indian Premier League and recently scored a 48-ball 77 against New Zealand A.
Against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy last year, Shaw scored 60 in the first innings, and followed up with a score of 142. A week ago against North-East Zone, he smashed 113.
Shaw himself expressed his disappointment through a cryptic post on Instagram, where he wrote, “Don’t trust their words, trust their actions because actions will prove why words are meaningless”.
“How do you omit Prithvi Shaw in a second-string side???? 56.04 Average & 125.2 SR in List A cricket! Won player of the match in one of his only six ODIs for smashing 43 in 24 balls in a run chase of 263!” wrote one user.
The Chetan Sharma-led selection committee preferred Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill. One of them will open the innings, alongside the stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan. The lack of clarity from the selection committee has enraged the fans, as they are desperate to know the reasons behind his continuous exclusion.
“If Prithvi Shaw is getting ignored cuz of fitness, on disciplinary grounds, or any other valid reason then I have no issue but please care to explain what is the reason behind his non-selection after performing so well in List A, we deserve an explanation,” wrote another fan.
The first ODI of the three-match ODI series will be played on 6 October, in Lucknow.
Lead Image: BCCI/Twitter
