Prithvi Shaw picks county over Deodhar

West Zone’s Prithvi Shaw after his 50 against South yesterday. Pic/PTI

Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw scored an invaluable 65 as West Zone struggled to post 129-7 against South Zone on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy final in Bangalore on Thursday. However, the Priyank Panchal-led West Zone side will miss Shaw's services in the Deodhar Trophy to be held in Puducherry from July 24.

Shaw, 23, who last represented India against Sri Lanka in a T20I game in 2021, has opted to play county cricket instead. On Monday, West Zone selectors picked Shaw in their 15-member squad for the zonal 50-over tournament, but the attacking batsman revealed to mid-day that he will be heading to England where he will spend the next 45 days. "I don't think I will be playing in the Deodhar Trophy because I will be going to the UK to play county matches [for Northamptonshire]. My first match will be on July 19," Shaw told mid-day from Bangalore on Thursday.

When asked the reason for his decision, Shaw said: "I think it will be a good experience to play in county cricket. I have played in England earlier, but not at this county level. Ajju dada [Ajinkya Rahane] and many other Indian players have played there. I will be playing a total of eight matches, including six one-day games and a couple of first-class matches. But I will definitely return to India before the start of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in October."

Speaking about the ongoing Duleep final, Shaw, who hit nine fours during his patient 101-ball knock, said he was eyeing a big score before an upper cut ended his innings abruptly. "It [the M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch] was not easy to bat on, so I took my time and decided to play close to the body. I only hit those deliveries that were within reach. Actually, when I tried that upper cut [to pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak], I didn't realise there was a fielder at third man [Vidwath Kaverappa]," added Shaw.