Prithvi Shaw Doubtful For New Zealand Tour, Leaves For NCA

Prithvi Shaw might have to wait for a national comeback longer than expected as he is in doubt for upcoming India A tour of New Zealand which takes place just ahead of the international fixtures. The 20-year-old suffered a shoulder issue while fielding in the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture against Karnataka and has been rushed to NCA to determine the extent of the issue.

“He has been called to NCA. Mumbai Cricket Association got an email from the BCCI. He has left for Bengaluru. He couldn’t even lift his hand. He has a tear in the shoulder. That much is known,” Ajinkya Naik, Mumbai team’s manager said after the end of day 2.

It is to be noted that Shaw was to open the innings in the Australia Test series in 2018/19 but was ruled out due to ankle issue which he suffered in the practice game. He was later banned for eight months but was soon back in the scheme of things with performances in domestic cricket. Shaw would hope to get fit for the series.

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India need a reserve opener for the New Zealand Tests and one of him and Shubman Gill will get a place in the squad as a backup to Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Shaw, unlike Gill, is capped in the longest format.

With Shaw flying to NCA, Mumbai will miss out on the services of their star opener. In his absence, Ajinkya Rahane came out to open the innings along with Aditya Tare in the second innings.

Mumbai had an abysmal start to their second innings as the home team lost both the openers for 12. Siddhesh Lad and SuryaKumar Yadav failed to hold the innings and once again, Mumbai found themselves in trouble. Comeback man Sarfaraz Khan and Shams Mulani put up 83 runs for the fifth wicket before the latter was dismissed at the stroke of stumps.

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At the end of day 2, Mumbai were five down fo 109, leading by a margin of 85. Since they will be without Shaw, Sarfaraz has to ensure that the home team gets a lead of 200 to challenge Karnataka.