Prithvi Shaw to join India A squad in New Zealand

Opener Prithvi Shaw will join India A squad during their tour of New Zealand after passing his fitness test. Shaw was initially ruled out of the tour after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy against Karnataka.

Shaw missed the two warm-up games but is all set to feature in the opening one-dayer against New Zealand A. Shaw passed his fitness test at the NCA in Bangalore and will soon fly out to join up with the squad in New Zealand.

On Shaw’s availability, a source told Times of India:

“He cleared the mandatory yo-yo test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Tuesday morning. He should be flying on the 16th or 17th of January to join the India A side in New Zealand.”

With Shaw fit and firing, he is now likely to be included in the Test squad for the New Zealand tour as the third opener. The selectors only announced the squad for the T20I leg of the tour. It is believed that assessing Shaw’s fitness was one of the reasons for the delay in naming the squad.

The source further added:

“We have a few issues to sort out. The teams for the ODIs and Tests in New Zealand will be picked after the ODI series (against Australia) in India.”

Shaw will now be back in action in the first one-dayer against New Zealand A on January 22nd. The A tour, as well as the Test series, will provide a good opportunity for Shaw in his process of reintegration. Once touted as one of the most promising talents to emerge through the ranks, Shaw’s career has come to a standstill. Troubled with injury which was followed by a doping suspension, the 20-year old will now be chomping at the bits to return to international cricket.