Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener turned commentator has cast his vote for Prithvi Shaw as India’s second opener alongside Mayank Agarwal for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which will be a day-night affair. He made this choice known in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra highlighted Prithvi Shaw’s achievements including being one of the few Indian players to have scored a debut Test century against West Indies at home.
Aakash Chopra: Not Many People Can Be Able To Score A Ton On Debut Like Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw has played only 4 tests and scored 335 runs averaging 55.83 with 1 century and 2 fifties.
“Prithvi Shaw is the same player who has scored a century on debut. How many people are able to do that, very few. But he has done that.”
The reputed commentator observed that the opener was out of action for quite some time after the magnificent start to his Test career, first due to injury concerns and then due to a doping violation.
“He did it against West Indies. Yes, it was an encounter at home but he scored an explosive century. He scored runs in the second match as well. After that he got injured and was stuck in a doping case as well and was out for quite some time.”
Aakash Chopra pointed out Prithvi Shaw has shown the ability to score runs even in difficult seaming conditions as well with his valiant half-century in the second Test against New Zealand earlier this year.
“Then he went to New Zealand and we felt that the tour may not be good because of the conditions and his unique style of play. But there also he showed in the 2nd Test match that even though the pitch might be green in Christchurch, his playing style might look risky but he has the ability to score runs.”
He added on the same note that Prithvi Shaw might have some technical deficiencies but he overcame them to a certain extent during that knock in India’s last overseas Test assignment.
“There is a gap between the bat and the pad when he plays his shots and has had some problems against the short ball as well. But in the last Test match India played outside the country, Prithvi Shaw actually opened and did alright.”
The former KKR player observed Prithvi Shaw gave a decent account of himself in the first innings of the pink-ball practice match against Australia A.
“Even in Australia, the first warm-up match was not good but in the 1st innings of the second encounter, he was hitting boundaries of good balls.”
Aakash Chopra highlighted Prithvi Shaw has the ability to score runs quickly as he can lay the foundation for a big score.
“He will not only make the new ball old but make runs at such a fast pace that you will get the time to bat at ease later. He is that kind of a player who will rattle the opposition. He can play the role of a disruptive player.”
Aakash Chopra added Prithvi Shaw might have some deficiencies but he did play well in last first-class season.
“He did well in the last first-class season as well.”
Prithvi Shaw scored 40 and 3 in last practice game and 0 and 19 in first practice game.
Aakash Chopra: Prithvi Shaw Is Not Woefully Out Of Form And Has Right To Open In 1st Test
Aakash Chopra was of the opinion that Prithvi Shaw deserves to play ahead of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul as India’s second opener in the first Test against Australia.
“If you want to do justice to the players and treat them properly, I feel Prithvi Shaw has the right to open in the first Test. He is not completely woefully out of form.”
The 43-year-old iterated Prithvi Shaw should retain the opener’s spot considering his past performances, especially in the last Test against the Kiwis.
“He had a century on Test debut and made runs in tough conditions in New Zealand, not too many, but no one made that many runs there. So, if you see from all these vantage points, I feel Prithvi Shaw deserves to be Mayank Agarwal’s partner.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by observing Prithvi Shaw is likely to be Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner for the Adelaide Test.
“I feel Prithvi Shaw is likely to open with Mayank Agarwal and it will not be unfair at all.”
The second opener’s spot alongside Mayank Agarwal has been under debate. Since another opener KL Rahul did not feature in either of the warm-up encounters, he seems to be out of the reckoning for the spot at the moment.
It will be a tough call for the team management to choose between Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill. While the former is the incumbent opener, the latter has shown slightly better form in the two warm-up encounters.