Resurgent India lose Shaw before Test series

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Just a few days before the much-anticipated Test series against Australia gets underway in Adelaide, India made a strong comeback to finish their tour game against Cricket Australia XI on a positive note. After their initial struggles in the first innings, which saw the Indian side being bowled out for 358 runs, Kohli's boys showed some grit and gusto with smooth sailing in the second innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

In reply to the Australian XI's massive first innings total of 544, the touring Indian side had an easy outing in the park with a second innings score of 2 for 211 before the four-day match ended in a draw.

Opener Murali Vijay, who didn't bat in the first innings, replaced an injured Prithvi Shaw in the opening slot for second innings and smashed a century-knock of 129. His opening partner KL Rahul, who has come under fire for his inconsistency on the top of the batting order, chipped in with a timely 62 ahead of the crucial first Test.

Prithvi Shaw of India receives attention after injuring his leg following an attempted catch on the boundary during day three of the International Four Day tour match against Cricket Australia XI in Sydney on December 1, 2018. /VCG Photo

Moreover, the century-partnership between Vijay and Rahul has helped India bounce back from woes of their batting prodigy and opener Shaw being ruled out of the first Test.

Earlier, on the third day of the game, the teenage sensation suffered an ankle injury while attempting to take a catch on the deep midwicket boundary. While attempting a catch off a lofted shot by Max Bryant Shaw went over on his left ankle as he tried to keep himself inside the boundary rope. He was taken off the ground by the Indian physio and was later seen walking around on crutches.

Later, the governing body of Indian cricket, the BCCI, issued a statement saying, “Shaw underwent scans this morning and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury. Shaw will be unavailable for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. He will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to hasten the recovery.”

India's batsman Prithvi Shaw (C) is carried off after injuring his ankle whilst fielding on the third day of the tour match against Cricket Australia XI at the SCG in Sydney on November 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Shaw had made a dream debut against West Indies in October this year as he smashed a century on debut in Rajkot. In the game against the Cricket Australia XI, he scored a power-packed 66 in the first innings.

Although India hasn't called up a replacement for the tour, an in-form Shaw's injury has certainly served a big blow to Kohli's team and their hopes of winning a historic Test series in Australia.