Prithvi Shaw’s Northamptonshire debut ends in bizarre fashion

Prithvi Shaw. (Photo Source: Twitter/Gloucestershire Cricket)

Prithvi Shaw is touted as one of the finest young talents in India. He made a hundred on his international debut against the West Indies in 2018 but has fallen off the radar in the last few years. After a forgettable Indian Premier League 2023 season, the Mumbai batter has made the trip to England to play for Northamptonshire in hope of getting his career back on track.

His much-awaited debut for Northants came on Friday, August 4, as Lewis McManus’ side faced Gloucestershire in a Group B encounter in the One-Day Cup in Cheltenham. Chasing 279 for a win, Northamptonshire got off to a disastrous start as they lost half their side for 30 runs inside the first ten overs. Prithvi didn’t get into a shell, though, as he scored 34 runs in as many balls with the help of two fours and a solitary six. The 35th ball the right-handed batter faced turned out to be disastrous as he attempted to hook a sharp bouncer from Paul van Meekeren but lost his balance. As Prithvi fell on the ground, he inadvertently kicked his own stumps to be dismissed hit wicket.

HIT WICKET!!!! 🚀

Paul van Meekeren with a fierce bumper that wipes out Prithvi Shaw who kicks his stumps on the way down. What a delivery! Shaw goes for 34.

Northants 54/6.#GoGlos 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/EMYD30j3vy

— Gloucestershire Cricket (@Gloscricket) August 4, 2023

From 54/6, Northamptonshire recovered well to lose by just 23 runs as Tom Taylor, batting at No. 8, scored a brilliant 112 off 88 balls. The team will be in action again on Sunday, August 6, as they lock horns with Sussex. Prithvi will be looking to go big as he aims for a return to the Indian setup.

Prithvi Shaw had a dismal IPL 2023

The 23-year-old had his worst IPL season in 2023 as he managed to score just 106 runs in 8 matches for Delhi Capitals at an average of 13.25 and a strike rate of 124.71. Prithvi was dropped midway through the tournament but returned to the playing XI for the last couple of games.

The youngster played his last game for India in 2021 in a T20I against Sri Lanka and was dismissed for a duck. He was recalled into the Indian T20I squad prior to this year’s IPL, but he couldn’t find a place in the playing XI as the management backed the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. After the disastrous IPL campaign, Prithvi was dropped from India’s T20 side that was picked to face the West Indies in a five-match series.