Over The Top

ing a massive 186 runs first innings lead. However, the unkindest blow was the ankle injury to Prithvi Shaw which cost the team the ebullient and in- form opener, at least for the first Test, and threw the composition of the playing XI into turmoil. Shaw, who turned 19 only recently, is seen as something of a prodigy and had begun his Test career with a sparkling century against West Indies a few weeks back.

In this warm- up match, he had shown quick adaptability and smashed a strokefilled half century that not only reiterated his good form, but also made him the first choice opener for the series.

H i s injury was serious enough for him to miss the first Test starting next Thursday. It remains to be seen whether Shaw will recover in time for the second Test, but his absence will have riled Virat Kohli who would have been looking for a strong start to the series.

How the two teams perform in the first Test will likely dictate the tenor, perhaps even the fate of the series, and Shaw was pivotal to India’s gameplan at the top of the order.

His attacking instincts and wide repertoire of strokes was something India would have been counting on to stymie the pace threat of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins.

Something similar to what Virender Sehwag did in 2003- 04 and 2008. Barring the brilliant Kohli, India’s batting was shown up as

extremely