Injury rules Prithvi out of first Test

BIG BLOW India plans dented after teenager tears ankle ligament in practice game; Rahul, Vijay likely to open in Adelaide

debut against West Indies last month. Shaw scored an attacking 134 on his debut against West Indies in Rajkot and followed up with a 70 and unbeaten 33 in the second Test in Hyderabad. He was also impressive on Thursday with a sparkling 66, hitting 11 boundaries in his 69-ball knock.

His injury has probably left the management with no other choice but to open with KL Rahul and Murali Vijay unless Rohit Sharma — who opens in the shorter formats — is preferred.

Rahul, despite scoring 149 in the last Test against England at the Oval, has struggled for runs in the home series against West Indies. His scores in three innings against West Indies read 0, 4 and 33*. Vijay is on the comeback after he was dropped in the middle of the tour of England earlier this year. He has since rattled off impressive scores for Essex — 56, 100, 85, 80 & 2 — in England’s County Championship.

India could be cagey to start the Test series with two openers whose last international outings weren’t encouraging. Unless they want to risk Rohit Sharma,

India don’t have much choice but open with Vijay and Rahul. They are hoping to get Shaw back for the second Test at Perth, starting December 14.

Shaw underwent scans this morning and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury. He will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program...

BCCI STATEMENT, On nature of Prithvi’s injury

AP & GETTY Prithvi Shaw is carried off by team physio Patrick Farhart (right) and a support staff after injuring his ankle while attempting a catch on the third day of the tour warmup match at SCG on Friday.