'We will certainly discuss his selection' - Prithvi Shaw likely to mark his comeback soon

India’s precocious teenage sensation and Test opener Prithvi Shaw is all set to make his comeback to competitive cricket following the culmination of his suspension period. Shaw was handed a backdated eight-month suspension back in July which is scheduled to end on November 15.

Shaw had been handed a backdated eight-month suspension on July 30th by the BCCI for consuming a cough syrup that contained prohibited substance terbutaline. The incident had happened during the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which took place earlier this year in February. During the suspension period, Shaw had been practicing at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Shaw had vowed back then to come stronger and fitter because ‘there is a no bigger motivation than playing for India and Mumbai. And, he will be getting full backing from Mumbai’s selection committee

Former Mumbai captain and the current chairman of the ad-hoc selection committee, Milind Rege has indicated that Shaw will be considered for selection for the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after his suspension ends on November 15th. The Rege-led committee has announced Mumbai’s squad for just three games considering the fact that Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Shardul Thakur are on national duty.

“He will be free to play from [November] 16, so of course he will be considered for selection. I can’t make any commitment to whether he will be back, but we will certainly discuss his selection,” said Rege to ESPNCricinfo.

‘Prithvi Shaw needs to fight for his place in the playing XI’

Shaw will have to prove his fitness again and according to Rege, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal doing really well in his absence, the Mumbai opener will have to fight for his place in the playing XI.

“He will have to be fit again, There is nobody who can take his place for granted because there are others also,” Rege said. “Everybody needs to work for their place in the squad. There are some senior players who have done well last year and even this year but the youngsters are now really knocking hard on the door.”

Shaw will most probably join the Mumbai set-up from November 16 and by then his stateside would have played six games of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.