A second-string Team is currently locked in a three-match ODI series against South Africa at home. The visitors clinched the first match by nine runs while the second game, which is going to be a do-or-die fixture for the Men in Blue, is scheduled to be played on October 09 (Sunday). When India's ODI squad was announced for the series, one glaring omission was of the explosive opening batter Prithvi Shaw, who has been scoring loads of runs in the domestic circuit and is eyeing to make a comeback to the national side.
Despite performing well for India A and Mumbai, Shaw was snubbed from the ODI squad and the right-handed batter expressed his disappointment after being overlooked once again.
"I was disappointed. I am scoring runs, doing a lot of hard work, but not getting a chance," Shaw said during an interview with Mid-Day.
"But, it's alright. When they [national selectors] feel I am ready, they will play me. Whatever opportunities I get, whether it is for India ‘A’ or other teams, I will make sure I do my best and keep my fitness levels up to the mark," he added.
Shaw last played for India in July 2021 while being on a tour to Sri Lanka for the ODI series in the absence of star players who were in England for the test series. He broke into the international scene with a promising start but despite that, his repeated failures and fitness soon showed him the door from the Indian team.
A suspension was imposed on him for the consumption of illegal substances which sidelined him for a long time and since then he is grappling to make his way back into the Indian team. Though the star batter played two ODI against New Zealand A last month and amassed 97 runs, it was not enough to catch the selectors’ attention.
The stylish batter also affirmed that he has been relentlessly working to be in top fitness, an area which has been his Achilles heel so far.
"I did not work on different things in my batting, but did a lot of fitness work. I worked on weight-loss and reduced by seven to eight kgs after the last IPL. I spent a lot of time in the gym, did a lot of running, didn't consume any sweets and cold drinks. Chinese food is totally out of my menu now,” Shaw said.
