The tradition of Indian cricketers participating in County cricket continues, and this time, it's the young opener Prithvi Shaw who is all set to embark on his county journey with Northamptonshire. Shaw's stint with the English County Championship will kick off following the conclusion of the ongoing Duleep Trophy in India.
The Duleep Trophy 2023–24, which commenced on June 28, is currently underway and will come to a close on July 16. For Prithvi Shaw, this county stint presents an opportunity to further develop his skills and gain valuable experience on the English pitches.
Shaw's inclusion in the County Championship comes after a period of absence from the Indian national team. His last Test appearance for India was in December 2023 during the Adelaide Test against Australia, where India suffered a shocking batting collapse, getting all out for 26 runs. In his five Test matches for India, Shaw has accumulated 339 runs at an impressive average of 42.37, including one century and two half-centuries.
Northamptonshire, the English County team that Shaw will represent, has seen the likes of legendary Indian cricketers in the past, including former captains Sourav Ganguly, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Anil Kumble. Now, Shaw is set to follow in their footsteps, adding another chapter to the illustrious Indian presence in English County cricket.
As reported by the Times of India, Shaw is scheduled to participate in both the four-day County Championship matches and the Royal London One-Day Cup, a 50-over tournament. Before his County stint, he will be engaged in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone, with the possibility of featuring in the final from July 12 to 16.
Prithvi Shaw showcased his remarkable batting prowess during the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy Season, where he registered a career-best score of 379 runs off 383 balls in an innings against Assam. His impressive performance also saw him surpass Sanjay Manjrekar's record for the highest individual score by a Mumbai batsman in a Ranji innings. Shaw's 379 runs stood as the second-highest individual score in premier first-class history.
While Shaw's domestic form has been exceptional, his performances for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 fell short of expectations. Nevertheless, his county stint with Northamptonshire provides an excellent opportunity for the young cricketer to refine his skills, gain international exposure, and contribute significantly to his cricketing journey.