Opener Prithvi Shaw who showed glimpses of returning to form, in IPL for Delhi Capitals was recently overlooked by the selectors for the four-month long tour comprising WTC final against New Zealand and a five-Test series against England. The Mumbai who had a dismal Australian tour, has been asked to lose a 'few more kilos' before returning to the national team. Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was also told to lose a bit of weight and work on his keeping. “Prithvi is still very slow across the turf for a 21-year-old. He needs to shed a few more kilos. He also had concentration issues while fielding in Australia. Shaw has been working hard since he returned from Australia. He has the example of Rishabh Pant right in front of him. If Pant can turn things around in a few months, Prithvi too can do it,” a BCCI source told the Times of India.
“He has to sustain this form for a few more tournaments. He has often been picked on the basis of one good series and then he has struggled in international cricket, He is too good a player to be ignored for long,” the source added. Shaw was dismissed for 0 and 2 in the Adelaide Test in Australia, and he was not included in the remaining three Tests Down Under. Shaw was also not included in the playing XI for the four Tests against England with Shubman Gill keeping his opening slot in all the games. The England series will start at Nottingham (Aug 4-8) and will be followed by matches at Lord's (August 12-16), Leeds (Aug 25-29), Oval (Sep 2-6), and Manchester (Sep 10-14). Prior to the five-Test series, India will take on New Zealand in the much-awaited final of the ICC World Test Championship starting June 18.
