I firmly believe that India should stick with Prithvi Shaw: Michael Hussey

Hussey opined that Shaw needs the backing of the team during this tough moment.

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Prithvi Shaw
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Prithvi Shaw. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

There have been calls from all around to drop Prithvi Shaw for the upcoming second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The under-pressure young opener failed in both the innings of the Adelaide Test as India suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the series-opener at the hands of the hosts.

Shaw’s place in the team was questioned even before the start of the match because of his poor performances in the tour game. Shubman Gill was being widely backed to open the innings along with Mayank Agarwal. However, the team-management went with Shaw but the right-handed batsman failed to justify the faith shown in him.

He failed to open his account in the first innings while in the second, he managed to score just four. More than the scores, it was the way of his dismissal that has invited criticism for him. In both the innings, he was bowled while trying to throw his hands at the ball. Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar went as far as questioning his technique while saying that India should replace Shaw with KL Rahul.

Also Read: ‘KL Rahul should replace Prithvi Shaw as an opener’ – Sunil Gavaskar ahead of India’s second Test against Australia

Michael Hussey backs Prithvi Shaw

Amidst all the criticism faced by Prithvi Shaw, he has received some much-needed support from Australian great Michael Hussey. The former Australia batsman has thrown his support behind the under-pressure youngster and said that the Indian team-management should persist with Shaw for the Boxing Day Test.

Hussey advised India to take a tough call on Shaw based on just one Test. He also cited the example of Australia opener Joe Burns who played the Adelaide Test despite being out of form and justified the selection with an unbeaten fifty in the second innings.

“I think that selectors should show some faith in Prithvi Shaw. Yes, he didn’t get any runs in this Test match but it’s one Test, against some quality bowling of a difficult pitch to bat,” Hussey told ESPNcricinfo.

“Joe Burns was averaging less than 7 in FC cricket. The selectors showed faith in him. He got out cheaply in the first innings but he slowly got his confidence back, worked his way through it and you see the character of the guy and he ended up scoring 50 not out,” he added.

Hussey opined that Shaw needs the backing of the team during this tough moment. The former cricketer also stated that the pitch at the MCG will suit the youngster more as he said the India opener has got enormous talent.

“For Prithvi Shaw, find out about his character. Show that faith in him, give him that belief and tell him ‘look, we’re backing you’. The Melbourne pitch will suit him a lot more. It certainly won’t have the same pace and bounce. He’s obviously got enormous talent,” Hussey said.

“What it does is that it sends a great message to the rest of the team. It’s like ‘Look guys, even if you have a bad Test here or there, we’re not going to lose faith in you’. We know you’re good players and we’ll back you. I firmly believe that selectors should stick with Shaw despite not looking in great touch in the Test match,” he added.

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