Indian opener out of first Test vs AUS due to injury

Team India has received a major blow ahead of the first Test against Australia as opening batsman Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out due to an injury he suffered during the warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI.

Shaw suffers a ligament injury 

Shaw injured his ankle while fielding on day three of the practice match. The Indian opening batsman was fielding at deep mid-wicket when his attempted catch of Max Bryant resulted in injuring his ankle.

Shaw got underneath of the lofted shot but in an attempt to stay inside the boundary ropes went over his ankle. He was immediately rushed to the changing rooms and then to the hospital for scans.

https://twitter.com/mahi07fan/status/1068301476013850624

A statement released by BCCI said that Shaw underwent scans this morning and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury. The Board has made it clear that Shaw will be unavailable for the First Test against Australia in Adelaide and he will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to hasten the recovery.

So hoping young Prithvi Shaw's injury isn't serious.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 30, 2018

Shaw’s injury a blow to India’s plans 

The opening batsman was an essential part of India’s batting plans for the tour of Australia. His impressive performance in domestic cricket fast-tracked his entry into the national team. In his debut Test series, he hammered 237 runs in just three innings and also scored a spectacular hundred in debut innings.

Ankles are not meant to bend that way

Fingers crossed for Prithvi Shaw

Story: https://t.co/PiIVLaEVYR pic.twitter.com/mFoidg8xbQ

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 30, 2018

He looked in ominous form in Australia as well as he scored a quick-fire half-century in the first innings versus CA XI in the practice match.

Also read: Indian batsmen warm-up in style against CAXI

The right-hand batsman was supposed to open the innings for Team India but now with his injury the team management has one more slot to fill.

Vijay in? Or some more surprises?

If @PrithviShaw’s injury is so bad that he might miss even the second Test, India might look to draft Shikhar Dhawan or Mayank Agarwal (who is currently in NZ) into the squad. Meanwhile @ImRo45 also comes into the picture for a place in the first Test

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 30, 2018

Shaw’s injury might open the gates of the playing XI for Murali Vijay who was dropped from the England series. There are no other specialist openers in the squad and hence Team India might rope in Shikhar Dhawan or Mayank Agarwal as a cover for the injured opener.