India suffered a big blow Friday with young batting phenomenon Prithvi Shaw ruled out of the opening Test against Australia after injuring his ankle trying to take a catch.
The 19-year-old, who scored a sparkling debut century against the West Indies in October, landed awkwardly near the Sydney Cricket Ground boundary in attempting to grab a big hit from Cricket Australia XI opener Max Bryant.
Pictures showed his left ankle bending 90 degrees inward underneath him as he tumbled to the ground.
Medical staff rushed to help him off the field, before he was taken to hospital for checks. He later returned to the ground on crutches.
“Shaw underwent scans this morning and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury,” Indian cricket’s governing body, the BCCI, said in a statement.
“Shaw will be unavailable for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide.
“He will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to hasten the recovery and be available for selection at the earliest.”
The news is a major setback for the visitors ahead of the opening Test in the South Australian capital next week.
Twitter was quite worried for the Indian youngster.
Unfortunate. Very unfortunate. Was looking forward to see Shaw bat at Adelaide....not to be. Ligament tear in the ankle can take 3 weeks or more. Perth in doubt too. Wish him a speedy recovery. #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 30, 2018
Hindsight is perfect vision....but this is exactly why Mayank had to play vs WI at home. Now, the hands are tied. Pick Dhawan (who wasn’t even in the squad vs WI) or pick Mayank who hasn’t played a single International game. Or pick no replacement at all?? 🙏 #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 30, 2018
Damn. Prithvi Shaw out of the first Test. Was so so looking forward to see him bat in Aus
— Sidvee (@sidvee) November 30, 2018
Feel for Prithvi Shaw. Hopefully he recovers soon. https://t.co/XVhna2zsUE
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 30, 2018
Prithvi Shaw's injury is no doubt a blow for India but hopefully his return won't be "hastened" as stated in the BCCI statement
— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) November 30, 2018
Such disappointing news: @PrithviShaw could miss the first 2 Tests. I had fantasised about this tour being for him what 2003-4 was for @virendersehwag. What a blow!https://t.co/AFGQNRz8V5
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 30, 2018
Uh oh! @PrithviShaw ruled out of the first Test because of ankle injury suffered today. Harsh on the youngster. Puts India in a spot as he was an in form opener and K L Rahul still struggling
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 30, 2018
So Prithvi Shaw out of the first test - not great news - missing out on a batsman who is capable of giving brisk starts. So important in Australia to get off to good positive starts. #AusvInd #Adelaide
— RK (@RK_sports) November 30, 2018
I was so looking forward to Shaw Vs Starc ! Feeling terrible for him .
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) November 30, 2018
What an unfortunate and untimely injury to Prithvi Shaw! Reminds me of another Mumbai boy who went to Australia & got injured in the warm up game and never got another chance - Avishkar Salvi! Hope Prithvi's career story has many more chapters.#AusvInd
— AB (@ashtoshb) November 30, 2018
Prithvi Shaw injured? Looks like Mr Talent might open the batting In the first test #Ellaameyevaas
— Sanjay Subrahmanyan (@sanjaysub) November 30, 2018