On October 4, 2018, an 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw had a breathtaking Test debut when he hammered 134 against the West Indies. Fast forward to now, the Mumbai-born opener is nowhere near the Indian team. Even when BCCI named a youthful Indian side for the Zimbabwe series, no one batted for Shaw to be in the squad. How the might has fallen!
Shaw shone with a 33-ball fifty!
Prithvi Shaw, who has played just 12 times for India, showcased his batting prowess once again during Northamptonshire’s One-Day Cup match against Middlesex on Monday. After losing early wickets, the 24-year-old took charge and anchored the innings with a well-constructed fifty in just 33 balls.
His knock of 78 off just 56 deliveries was a reminder why he was once considered a mix of talents involving Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. His knock that involved 12 fours and a six led Northamptonshire to a superb first-innings total of 317.
Previously, Shaw had shown glimpses of his potential in the previous edition of the One-Day Cup, where he amassed a mammoth 244 runs in a single innings against Somerset. However, injuries and inconsistent performances have hindered his progress.
Struggle with injuries, struggle at DC
At the domestic level, Shaw hasn’t been able to translate his talent into consistent performances as well. His stint with Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2024 was also underwhelming. In the 8 innings for the Rishabh Pant-led side, Shaw made 198 runs at an average of 24.75. His IPL 2023 was even worse, where Shaw managed to score 106 runs at a horrible average of 13.25. Despite possessing immense potential, he has failed to grab opportunities when they have come his way.
For now, Shaw will be hoping to continue his good form and put pressure on the national selectors with his performances. With the Indian domestic season about to commence, Shaw will be looking to carry his momentum forward.
