Prithvi Shaw’s rise to the top was halted twice in 2018/19 and the young cricketer stayed out of the international cricket for longer than expected. Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018/19, Shaw got injured during a practice match, which saw him miss the complete series.

When Shaw looked set to make his India comeback in 2019, he was banned for a doping violation. The right-handed batsman had consumed a cough syrup during Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, in 2019, without knowing that it was banned by the BCCI. Shaw made his comeback to international cricket on the New Zealand tour in 2020 and played 5 fixtures.

Though he isn’t part of the Test squad now, Shaw will be in action for Team India as he will be representing the Shikhar Dhawan-led side during the six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka. The team will be coached by Rahul Dravid, Shaw’s first coach when he made it to India’s junior team.

It was under Dravid’s guidance that Shaw led India U-19 to a title victory in the Junior World Cup in 2018. Speaking to Indian Express before the series, Shaw talked about Dravid and revealed that he had talks with former India captain during ‘A’ tours. He also revealed that India legend also called him when he was banned for a doping violation.

“On A tours, I did speak to him. When I got banned for doping, he called and said, “This is part of life. It’s ok. It wasn’t my fault and I will come back stronger.” It felt really nice that he talked to me even during my bad phase,” Shaw told Indian Express.

Shaw’s ban period ended in November 2019 and he scored a half-century in his comeback game for Mumbai in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also made his India comeback soon and toured NZ.

Shaw is presently in Sri Lanka and could be a surprise entrant in Team India’s T20 World Cup squad if he carries his domestic cricket form into international cricket