Australia vs India: Prithvi Shaw ruled out of the Test series; replacement named

While the Indian team received a boost of Hardik Pandya’s inclusion for the last two Tests, they have been jolted with a huge blow. Their wonder kid Prithvi Shaw who got injured during the practice game has been ruled out of the four-match series against Australia. He was expected to get fit for the Boxing Day Test but hasn’t recovered as expected it seems and hence will most probably fly back to India now.

According to ESPNCricinfo, Mayank Agarwal has been named his replacement in the Test squad who could well go on to make his international debut now given the performance of the current openers. Agarwal was also included in the squad for the Windies Test series but didn’t get an opportunity to prove his mettle.

Agarwal was one of the top performers for India A in their recent New Zealand tour and deserves an opportunity. If included in the playing XI, this will be a great chance for him to grab the chance with both the hands as the series will be on level terms going into the Boxing Day Test.

What about the openers?

Meanwhile, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have continued to disappoint at the top of the order. They batted well in the second innings of Adelaide Test but things were again back to normalcy in Perth. One of them is certain to miss out of the next Test and it will be interesting to see who sits out. India also have Parthiv Patel in the squad who can definitely open the innings and did it in the second innings of Johannesburg Test earlier this year.

Going by the recent performance, the team management might open with Vijay and Parthiv if they don’t want to put a huge pressure on Agarwal on his international debut. While things aren’t looking good for India in Perth, the opening woes have complicated even more for the rest of the series.

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