New Zealand XI vs India: Daryl Mitchell rips Prithvi Shaw’s poles apart

Prithvi Shaw is in contention for opening the batting alongside Mayank Agarwal for India’s opening Test against New Zealand, starting February 21 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Ravi Shastri, the head coach of the Indian team, said that Shaw along with Shubman Gill would be competing for the second opener’s slot. Both of them are busy playing a tour match at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Even as Gill floundered in both innings, Shaw tasted a bit of success in the second innings after failing in the first. The Thane-born was starting to make amends after bagging a four-ball duck, getting out to Scott Kuggelejin. In the second innings, Shaw looked ominous as he trod the attacking route while facing a power-packed attack. But Daryl Mitchell cut short his run in the middle.

Shaw plays some sparking shots

On the final day of the tour match against New Zealand XI, Shaw managed 39 off 31 with the help of six fours and a humongous over-boundary. His strike-rate of 125.81 was the highest among any batsman in the encounter. He was also involved in a 72-run opening wicket stand along with Mayank, who retired after scoring 81 runs off 99 balls. Mitchell got rid of Shaw in the 10th over.

Mitchell churned out a full-length deliver on and around the off and middle stump. Seeing the juicy half-volley, Shaw went for a rather audacious straight drive, showing the full face of the willow. To his dismay, the leather managed to sneak in through the gap between pad and bat. Subsequently, Shaw’s middle-stump went for a toss and Mitchell celebrated in sheer ecstasy and jubilation.

Here is the video of Shaw’s dismissal: –

Though Shaw and Agarwal got a bit of momentum back, Gill’s form has come up as concerning. After getting a golden duck in the first innings, Shubman managed only eight in the second, falling prey to Mitchell itself. Prior to this game, the youngster had scores of 204* and 136 versus New Zealand A.

Both Shaw and Gill have already had the experience of playing at the international level. Even as Gill made his India debut in India’s previous tour of New Zealand in 2019, Shaw stormed into Team India will a century against the West Indies in 2019. The latter has faced injury and other concerns though.