'Prithvi Shaw has to score more runs' - Wasim Jaffer questions Indian squad selection for the New Zealand tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against New Zealand on Monday (October 31). The Indian team will travel to New Zealand to play three T20Is and as many ODI matches starting from November 18.

Hardik Pandya is named to lead the 16-member squad with Shubman Gill being the only uncapped player in the T20I squad. Despite the absence of regular openers, Prithvi Shaw is missing from the squad and fans are asking BCCI an explanation for the youngster's exclusion. The former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer also believes that Shaw should be in the squad as he has proven his consistency in domestic cricket tournaments.

"I think Prithvi Shaw should be in the team as he has that x-factor for T20I cricket and even for ODIs. He is scoring consistently in First-Class cricket. I mean you have to prove your worth in First-Class cricket when you get dropped from the Indian team. So, I am a little surprised that Prithvi Shaw is not included in the squad" Wasim Jaffer said in a BatBricks7 Run Ki RunNeeti England-New Zealand pre-match live show on CricTracker.

Prithvi has to score more runs and focus more on his fitness: Wasim Jaffer

With key senior players rested again, fans were expecting the in-from youngster Prithvi Shaw to return to the squad. The Mumbai batter has been in sensational form in domestic cricket and was tipped to make his return to the T20I squad. Shaw has scored 285 runs from just seven innings at an impressive strike rate of 191.27 in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 after his excellent outings in the Duleep Trophy.

When asked about why Shaw is not included in the squad, Jaffer stated that maybe selectors are looking for more runs and improved fitness from Shaw.

"I don't know where he is going wrong, maybe he needs to score more runs if i have to talk more positively or from the selector's perspective. He played for India and scored but later got dropped. He has scored in IPL tournaments also, but maybe selectors want the player to score more runs and improve his fitness as well," Jaffer added.