Prithvi Shaw Likely to Be Absent for Mumbai's Two Ranji Matches Starting On January 5

Young Indian opener Prithvi Shaw is set to miss out the initial two Ranji Trophy matches, his absence attributed to a knee injury incurred while playing for Northamptonshire. This setback has kept him sidelined for a significant portion of 2023, including key white-ball domestic tournaments such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Recent glimpses of Shaw batting in the nets at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru suggest his recovery is underway. His last competitive appearance was for Northamptonshire against Durham in August’s One Day Cup, where he delivered an unbeaten 125, securing a six-wicket victory for his team.

Mumbai Chief Selector Raju Kulkarni confirmed Shaw’s absence from the initial Ranji matches against Bihar (commencing January 5) and Andhra (from January 12). The selectors aim to have Raghuvanshi and Saxena participate in the Mumbai under-23 team in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy, providing them with valuable match practice.

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Despite a challenging IPL 2023 season with the Delhi Capitals, where Shaw managed just 106 runs in eight innings, the franchise has opted to retain him for another season. Shaw’s resurgence in the One-day cup underscores his potential return to form, strengthening his case for a national team comeback.

Kulkarni revealed discussions with players, particularly batsmen, to address concerns and gather feedback on Mumbai’s poor white-ball performance this season. In response to the team’s lackluster showing, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s selection committee, coaches, support staff, office bearers, and the CIC convened for a comprehensive 15-hour meeting to assess the situation.

The probable squad for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy includes familiar names like Jay Bista, Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shivam Dube. The focus is on revitalizing the team’s performance in the upcoming matches, with an extensive list of players ready to contribute to Mumbai’s campaign.