Prithvi Shaw, the dynamic young batsman, is all set to mark his return to the cricketing field, having been declared completely fit after recuperating from a knee ligament injury. Shaw, who is known for his aggressive style and prolific run-scoring ability, is confirmed to join the Mumbai squad for their approaching Ranji Trophy clash. The match, which is scheduled to commence on February 2, Friday, will see Mumbai competing against Bengal at the storied Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The much-awaited comeback is a significant boost for Shaw, who has been out of action for over five months. His injury occurred during a sparkling performance in England’s Royal London One-Day Cup, where he set the record with the highest score of 244 playing for Northamptonshire. This landmark innings, however, came at a cost as Shaw sustained a knee ligament injury that sidelined him for the latter half of the year.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) eagerly included Shaw in their squad for the crucial Bengal match following a green signal from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The NCA, responsible for rehabilitation and fitness of Indian cricketers, subjected Shaw to a meticulous fitness regime. Initially, the Academy had informed the MCA about their intention to test Shaw’s knee with high-intensity drills to ascertain his readiness for a competitive return. “Prithvi Shaw is progressing well in his batting and fielding drills. He will undergo higher volumes of acceleration, change of direction, and agility drills over the next 3 weeks to develop the required robustness for his injured knee ligament before making a return to sports,” reported Cricbuzz citing NCA’s communication with MCA.
Following this period of rigorous conditioning and assessment, the NCA finally cleared Shaw to play. This clearance couldn’t come at a better time for Mumbai, currently a top contender in the Elite Group B of the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The Mumbai team has had a strong tournament thus far, securing wins in three of their four matches.
Shaw’s return is particularly noteworthy for Mumbai’s top-order batting line-up, which will greatly benefit from his experience and flair. A Mumbai Cricket Association spokesperson expressed excitement about Shaw’s return, stating, “Prithvi is a phenomenal player, and his inclusion will strengthen our batting order. His recovery is timely and boosts the team’s morale as we face crucial upcoming matches in our pursuit of the Ranji Trophy.”
The squad for the match is a blend of seasoned cricketers and promising talent. Besides Shaw, the team will be led by captain Ajinkya Rahane and features notable players like Shivam Dube, Jay Bista, and Bhupen Lalwani. Young talent such as Amogh Bhatkal and Suved Parkar will also have the opportunity to shine. The squad showcases a well-rounded unit with a mix of batsmen, all-rounders, and bowlers, including the likes of Suryansh Shedge, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, and Aditya Dhumal. The pace department will be handled by Mohit Awasthi, Dhaval Kulkarni, Roystan Dias, and Sylvester Dsouza, while the wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Prasad Pawar and Hardik Tamore.
With the Ranji Trophy’s knock-out stages rapidly approaching, Prithvi Shaw’s return adds another layer of intrigue to the prestigious competition. Cricket enthusiasts and Mumbai fans, in particular, will be eagerly anticipating Shaw’s performance at Eden Gardens—a venue known for its cricketing history and passionate spectators. As Mumbai continues their campaign in this season’s Ranji Trophy, the inclusion of a fit-again Prithvi Shaw could prove to be the x-factor that propels them towards the silverware.
