India opener ruled out of Perth Test

Opening batsman Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out of the Perth Test as he is yet to recover from the ankle injury. This means KL Rahul and Murali Vijay would be India’s openers for the second Test which begins from December 14th.

Shaw yet to recover completely from injury

The young opener had injured his right ankle during the practice match ahead of the first Test. Since then the team management is closely observing his recovery and when he was seen jogging on the field on the fifth day of the first Test, it seemed that he might recover before the second Test.

But according to a report published in an English newspaper, the team management is still not sure about Shaw’s recovery and hence have decided not to play him in the Perth Test.

India coach Ravi Shastri had recently stated that Shaw is recovering quickly and has already started walking. He noted that with youth on Shaw’s side, there might just be a case where he might recover quicker.

The Indian coach had made it clear that they will make a call as and when they get closer to Perth.

Shaw’s quick rise to the top 

Since his record-breaking innings in school cricket which brought him limelight, Shaw has been seen by many as a serious talent.

He led India to the U-19 world cup title and scored centuries in his Ranji and Duleep trophy debuts. These performances earned him a place in India’s Test squad and he seized the opportunity by slamming a hundred in his debut innings against Windies.

Shaw then impressed everyone by scoring a boundary-laden fifty in the practice match and was supposed to open India’s innings in the first Test. However, an injury while fielding in the practice game has devoid him of featuring in the first two Tests against Australia.

Another chance for Vijay, Rahul?

Also read: Former captain dropped; Iyer added in Mumbai’s squad 

KL Rahul has been struggling lately and he failed to make a big score in the first Test as well. He did look promising in the second innings and now with Shaw’s absence, he might get another chance to prove his mettle.

Murali Vijay, on the other hand, was dropped during the England tour and was in the squad for Australia series as the third opener. But he too has got another chance now to rejuvenate his Test career.