Let's see how Prithvi Shaw shapes up post suspension, insists Vikram Rathour

Once destined to be India's mainstay at the top of the order, Prithvi Shaw's journey as a cricketer has taken a small dent as he was banned from playing cricket due to doping charges. Having scored a hundred against West Indies in the Test series at home, Shaw was all set to open for India in the first Test at Adelaide but unfortunately, he got injured during the practice game which ruled him out of the series.

Shaw has since been out of the national setup and the likes of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma have grabbed their opportunities with both hands scoring a massive amount of runs against South Africa and now Bangladesh. India's batting coach Vikram Rathour felt that Shaw's inclusion in the national side now will depend on his form post the ban and also a number of other factors.

"Getting back into the team will be the selectors' decision. As far as the team management is concerned, I think he's a phenomenal player. So let's see how it goes, how he shapes up after the suspension," Rathour told TOI.

19-year-old Shaw began his Test career with a bang with a hundred on debut against the West Indies but another opener in the form of Agarwal has performed supremely in the matches that he has played so far. He made his debut against the Aussies on Boxing Day at the MCG and then scored two double centuries in India's home season. Rathour is extremely happy with the way Agarwal has taken to life in international cricket.

"Rather than us (support staff) pushing them, they push us. Somebody like Mayank, after scoring so many runs, is still coming and asking what better he can do, what are the areas he can improve upon. That's a great character to have. And that's not one guy, everyone in the team is like that," Rathour said.

Young Shubman Gill has also scored heaps of runs in the Ranji Trophy and has had impressive performances with India A side due to which he is India's third choice Test opener. KL Rahul who was dealing with a horror form of late is also showing signs of coming back to form in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare trophy. Thus Rathour feels that Shaw's comeback in the national team will also depend on many factors other than his own performance.

"I'm sure he's working hard and getting ready to come back. And how he gets back will depend on a lot of other factors," he concluded.