India announced its squad for the white-ball series against New Zealand and the first two Tests against Australia on Friday. While a number of players have been given opportunities in various formats, the inclusion of Prithvi Shaw for the T20Is against New Zealand has received the most attention.
Shaw has been in blistering form on the domestic circuit, recently smashing 379 in a Ranji Trophy match. This season, he was also one of the leading run scorers in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Shaw had been fighting for a spot in the national team after being dropped after the Sri Lanka T20I series in July 2021.
Despite making runs in domestic cricket, he was constantly overlooked by selectors because there wasn’t enough room for him. However, following Rishabh Pant’s accident and Sanju Samson’s injury, Shaw has been called up by the selectors, which is fantastic news for the swashbuckling Mumbai batter.
Shaw posted his reactions to the T20I series against New Zealand on Instagram Stories after his name was confirmed. He had previously posted pictures of Sai Baba to express his disappointment at being left out of India squads for various series.
With the news of his selection, Shaw posted emojis of a heart and the India squad. He also shared messages from friends and family after learning the good news. Needless to say, the Mumbai-born batter is overjoyed that the selectors have renewed their faith in him.
In January and February, India will play three ODIs and three T20Is against New Zealand. The one-day international series begins on January 18 in Hyderabad. On January 21, the action shifts to Raipur for the second ODI. The final ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled for January 24 in Indore. The T20I series kicks off on January 27 in Ranchi, followed by T20Is in Lucknow on January 29 and Ahmedabad on February 1.
India’s squad for NZ T20Is
Hardik Pandya (C), Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Y Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, Mukesh Kumar
Here is how Twitter reacted to Prithvi Shaw’s comeback
Woooooh prithvi Shaw finally ????
— clerk_Sinz0™ (@MAKWANASHAKTI13) January 14, 2023
Hard work always pays off. Suryakumar yadav and Prithvi shaw are Prime examples. Stop giving excuses and do what's required to achieve it. #PrithviShaw #SaturdayVibes #SaturdayMotivation
— Ankit (@i_m_born2fly) January 14, 2023
Hope Prithvi Shaw ko chance denge playing 11 mein…HOPE https://t.co/jH0qgpL9Ul
— MARCH(2023) DEKH LO?? (@Sudipta_Rosy) January 14, 2023
Aaj Mai bahut khush hun ki prithvi shaw new Zealand?? ke khilaaf t20 series ke liye indian team squad mein liya gaya
— Munaf Khan Khan (@MunafKhanKhan2) January 14, 2023
Prithvi Shaw Scored run in Ranji match and got selected in T20.
SKY scored run in T20 so got selected in Test
Funny selectors..#INDvsNZ#SanjuSamson #PrithviShaw #SuryakumarYadav— Cricket? (@CricNewsTime) January 14, 2023
Welcome Back Prithvi Shaw In International Indian Cricket team #PrithviShaw #ViratKohli
— Cricketwala.in (@Cricketwala22) January 14, 2023
Welcome back, Prithvi Shaw into International cricket after 18 months.#IndianCricketTeam #PrithviShaw
— anil parmar (@anilloveanna) January 14, 2023
? Prithvi Shaw included in T20 squad for the NZ series ? pic.twitter.com/UCjPA5thYF
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 13, 2023
Welcome back, Prithvi Shaw into International cricket after 18 months.pic.twitter.com/nGQqsY41WH
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 14, 2023
Small thread: The return of Prithvi Shaw to the T20 team was inevitable. Will be interesting to see if the team management is game to play him ahead of Gaikwad & Gill.And given how far away the T20 World Cup is, I don't think this is, yet, a final statement on Rohit & Virat (1/n)
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2023
