Reports: Prithvi Shaw can fly to England as injured Shubman Gill’s replacement

Team India’s next assignment in the longest format is a five-match Test series against hosts England, starting from August 4. However, the visitors suffered a massive blow ahead of the crucial series with opener Shubman Gill sustaining a stress-related injury in his left leg. Although an official announcement is yet to come, the young batsman is all but likely to get ruled out of the entire tour.

This is indeed not a great piece of news for the Virat Kohli-led side as Gill has been a vital cog of the Test team ever since making his debut in the format last December. Although India have a potent backup opener in Mayank Agarwal, they will be short of choices if either Agarwal or Rohit Sharma develop any injuries midway in the tour.

Notably, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are also in the squad. However, the former will reportedly get a place in the middle order while Easwaran is yet to make his international debut. Hence, the team management isn’t confident of giving him a Test cap. As per the latest developments, BCCI is planning to send Prithvi Shaw, who’s currently in Sri Lanka with the limited-overs team, to the UK.

“Here is a batsman (Prithvi Shaw) in absolute form right now, playing an inconsequential series (in Sri Lanka) whereas he can be in England and the team will have a cushion to fall back on. It’s been five days now and the selectors haven’t even blinked yet,” the Times of India quoted the source.

Isn’t it more sensible to have Prithvi Shaw who’s in form: BCCI source

“As against having to fall back on a batsman (Easwaran) who last did his bit in the First Class circuit more than two seasons ago. Isn’t it more sensible to have a batsman (Prithvi) who’s in form and the elements of his batting well documented already? The team knows Prithvi, understands Prithvi. If they think he should be in England, then there is no reason why the BCCI should not sending him,” the source added.

For the unversed, Shaw’s last appearance in national colours came against Australia last year. He got dropped from the playing XI after failing in the first Test and subsequently, Gill made his debut. However, Shaw turned his fortunes in by playing one staggering knock after another in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the following IPL 2021.