The Indian Cricket Board on Tuesday announced the squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. Senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have not been included in the T20I squad as Indian Cricket Board looks to revamp the side ahead of the 20-20 World Cup 2024. However, the exclusion of the youngster Prithvi Shaw from the team grabbed headlines. The opener shared a cryptic story on his Instagram handle following his exclusion from the team.
The story contained an Instagram reel that had a shayari (poetry) from Uzair Hijazi; “Kisi ne muft me paa liya vo shakhs, jo mujhe har keemat pe chahiye tha (Rough translation: The one I needed the most, someone got them for free). He further shared another video in which Gaur Gopal Das is seen sharing a thoughtful message about remaining positive while facing negativity in life.
Us Prithvi Bhai ?
Clip – @PrithviShaw Insta Story#PrithviShaw #INDvSL#BCCISelectionCommittee #BCCI #indvssl #shaw #HardikPandya #ShikharDhawan pic.twitter.com/XjlplMTdXb— cricket chronicles ?? (@kartike48655021) December 27, 2022
Shaw last played for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in July 2021. The 23-year-old has since produced consistent outings in domestic cricket for Mumbai. In the 2022 Indian T20 League, Shaw displayed his explosive batting, scoring 283 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 152.97 for the Delhi Franchise.
Hardik Pandya to lead India in T20Is against Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya will be leading the side in the three-match T20I series starting on 3rd January at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Suryakumar Yadav has been announced as the vice-captain for the series. Captain Rohit Sharma will return to the side in the three-match ODI series starting from 10th January with Hardik Pandya appointed as his deputy.
India’s squad for India vs Sri Lanka T20I series: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
India’s squad for India vs Sri Lanka ODI series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Prithvi Shaw’s story. Here are some of the Tweets:
Meaning of politics and Favouritism.. #PrithviShaw has better record, Strike rate than Gill in all formats.. still not given a chance . Gill selected in T20 as he's management's and Chapri Pandya's favourite. @BCCI shame on u pic.twitter.com/6QeXQMyBOY
— mudit mathur (@mudyt) December 28, 2022
Prithvi Shaw after today's team selection @manoj_dimri pic.twitter.com/uTkRXwCqOV
— CricSrv? (@cricfre95217310) December 27, 2022
Sai Baba to Prithvi Shaw: pic.twitter.com/U7r04xnlvN
— Hriday ?? (@Hriday1812) December 27, 2022
Nashe krke post krta h
— dr.rajababu_ (@gouravyadav2350) December 28, 2022
Prithvi Shaw ke India selection ki baat karte the kuch time pehle tak.
Filhaal usse psychiatrist ki zarurat hai.
Go through his IG stories.— S.R. (@SR_9220) December 28, 2022
Where is sai baba?
— Ugma Ram Thakan (@73rdWhenKing) December 28, 2022
Prithvi Shaw ko bas Instagram pe randwa rona karna aata hai bas aur kuch nahi
— Laddu (@cskitcell) December 28, 2022
I don’t know why people today think giving an instagram or facebook status or tweet will make them closer to national selection
No doubt Prithvi Shaw deserved it
But this isn’t appropriate #INDvsSL https://t.co/xHfRvGmfp0
— Anmol Mohta (@anmolmohta24) December 28, 2022
Bhai bandi k liye likha hai select hone k liye ni ?
— Amrit Lal (@AmritLa61276418) December 28, 2022
nibba ?
— ???????? ???????? (@BeingRadhika8) December 28, 2022
Ek kaam krte hain hum v rote hain rohit ki jgh pr khilao mujhe
— PATHAAN (@injubhai) December 28, 2022
Tension mat le KL Rahul hai,
Woh tere liye jagah banayga.— Introvert (@L0NE_W0LF_07) December 28, 2022
Every single sided lover ever. ????
— s h a d y ? (@tf_bruh09) December 28, 2022
Laga hi tha yeh story daalne wala hai ?
— CricNerd ??? (@CricNerd_) December 28, 2022
