Indian opening batsman Prithvi Shaw is reportedly set to join Northamptonshire County Cricket Club after the current season of the Duleep Trophy, according to reports from the Times of India (TOI).
The 23-year-old player, who represents the Indian National Cricket Team, is currently part of the West Zone Squad in the Duleep Trophy 2023.
The scheduled dates for the first semi-final at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur are July 5 to July 8
The news of Shaw’s move to Northamptonshire was shared on Twitter by a TOI journalist.
This will be Prithvi Shaw's maiden stint in County cricket #cricket #bcci https://t.co/4rtC3G1JFh
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) July 1, 2023
This upcoming stint will mark Shaw’s debut in county cricket, following his involvement with the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2023.
“A trusted source cited by TOI revealed that Shaw will participate in four-day County Championship matches and the Royal London One-Day Cup (a 50-overs tournament)”.
Prior to his county cricket commitments, he will fulfill his duties in the Duleep Trophy. This includes the semi-final against the Central Zone and, if necessary, the final from July 12 to July 16.
Shaw’s recent performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 was underwhelming. It leads to his exclusion from the Delhi Capitals’ regular playing XI and eventual removal from the team.
He played a mere eight matches, managing to score just 106 runs at an average of 13.25 and a strike rate of 124.71. His solitary half-century of the season came from a score of 54.
Consequently, it is highly improbable that Shaw will secure a place in India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series.
Given his lackluster IPL season, there are numerous other players who have performed exceptionally well and are more likely to be given an opportunity.
Shaw has represented the Indian National Cricket Team in five Tests, six ODIs, and one T20I. However, he is currently not part of India’s plans for Test and ODI formats.
Although he earned a recall for the T20Is against New Zealand earlier this year, he did not get a chance to play. His most recent appearance for the Indian team dates back to the Sri Lanka tour in 2021.
The move to Northamptonshire presents Shaw with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in county cricket.
This honours his skills in the longer-format matches of the County Championship and the 50-over games of the Royal London One-Day Cup.
It also offers him a chance to rebuild his form and make a strong case for future selection in the Indian team.
Overall, Shaw’s decision to join Northamptonshire County Cricket Club comes after being constantly overlooked by the Indian selectors.
By venturing into county cricket, Shaw aims to reignite his cricketing career. This proves his worth to reclaim his place in the national side.
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