Northampton: Struggling Indian batsman Prithvi Shaw showcased a spectacular return to form during Northamptonshire's clash against Somerset in England's One-Day Cup tournament, hammering a remarkable 244 off 153 balls on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old cricketer, embarking on his inaugural county season, exhibited a stunning performance that featured an impressive tally of 28 boundaries and 11 sixes, enabling him to secure his second-ever List A double century.
This remarkable achievement marks his ninth century in the List A format, with his previous one dating back to his 165-run innings against Karnataka during the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinal, a pivotal match that led Mumbai to claim the championship in the 2020-21 season.
In his third appearance for Northamptonshire, Shaw displayed his prowess by completing his maiden century for the side, achieving this milestone in just 81 balls. He further accelerated his performance, reaching the 200-run milestone off 129 balls, including a remarkable total of 24 fours and eight sixes. This dominant display propelled Northamptonshire's total to an imposing 415/8 after they elected to bat.
Shaw's remarkable journey in the List A format also includes an unbeaten 227-run knock against Puducherry during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2021, an innings that marked his inaugural List A double hundred.
Despite a promising start to his career, Shaw has faced a decline in his standing within India's cricket hierarchy. Notably, he amassed a monumental 379 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Assam. However, his performance in the IPL for Delhi Capitals was disappointing, leading to his mid-season exclusion.
While he showcased a glimpse of his talent on the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021, Shaw's recent appearances have been limited. Although he was initially part of the T20I squad against New Zealand earlier this year, he missed out on selection for the ongoing series against West Indies.
In addition to his on-field challenges, the gifted opener has encountered off-field issues in recent times. In his List A career spanning 56 games, Shaw has accumulated an impressive 2687 runs at an average of 51.67. In his initial two outings for Northamptonshire, Shaw managed scores of 26 and 34.
The prolific innings from Shaw serves as a testament to his potential and could potentially reignite his journey back into the national team fold.
(With Inputs From PTI)