‘We did it bhai!!’ – Fans erupt in joy as Prithvi Shaw gets national call-up for T20Is vs New Zealand

Team India are facing off against the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka team in a three-match ODI series, with the final ODI set to be played on January 15, Sunday. On Friday, the selection committee announced the squad for the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand and for the first two Tests against Australia as well. 

After a wait of almost 1 and a half years, Prithvi Shaw, the Indian batter, was brought into the T20I setup and one has to agree that the selection committee roped in several new players for the series against the Black Caps. As fans expected, the veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were left out of the squad for the T20I series, with Hardik Pandya given the task to lead the team. 

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s only unorthodox batter, is all set to continue his stint as the vice-captain of the team. Much to the surprise of the Indian fans, Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper, found his place in the T20I setup and the selection committee is sending a signal to the veterans that they are moving on from them. 

Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill retain spot in T20Is for Ind vs NZ series

While Shivam Mavi retained his spot in the setup, fans were surprised to see Shubman Gill being given a go-ahead to continue his stint in the T20Is despite the batter facing criticism for his slow strike rate. However, one has to agree that the right-handed batter is being groomed into an all-format player for team India. 

Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jitesh would add depth to the batting order, with Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will be tasked to take care of the spin department. 

India’s squad for the T20I series vs New Zealand: Hardik Pandya (C), Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, Mukesh Kumar

Here’s how fans have reacted to Prithvi Shaw’s inclusion in the squad for Ind vs NZ T20I series: 

#PrithviShaw has been called back… deservingly so #INDvsAUS

— Deepali Pandey (@deepalipandey) January 14, 2023

What a great decision to pick #PrithviShaw in t20s for performing great in first class.

— Arunabh Bhardwaj (@ArunabhBhardwa4) January 14, 2023

So @PrithviShaw gets a recall in Indian Team.Surprising to not see him in Test team. His selection was based on his 379 knock which was in first class. So, @BCCI selected him in T20I based on FC Performance. Similarly SKY in Test based on his T20I performance.Strange #PrithviShaw

— WhiteRatSr (@WhiteRatSr1) January 14, 2023

Why the players are getting selected in test on the basis of t20 performance ?
How can Sky and Ishan Kishan be in the test squad ahead of Abhimanyu Eswaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Upendra Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal ?
Ranji performances are getting ignored by selectors @BCCI

— Gautam Sihag (@igautamsihag) January 14, 2023

Prithvi is back, make him Play in 11 . He's super star@PrithviShaw

— Paramveer dewal (@Paramdewal) January 14, 2023

Prithvi Shaw's Strike rate:

•In IPL 2022 – 152.97
•In SMAT 2022 – 181.42
•In T20 Career – 151.67
•In IPL – 147.45

So happy for him, he is selected in the team India's squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and he deserves it. All the best, Prithvi Shaw!

— Mdasim_bage (@MdasimB) January 14, 2023

Hard work always pays off. Suryakumar yadav and Prithvi shaw are Prime examples. Stop giving excuses and do what's required to achieve it. #PrithviShaw #SaturdayVibes #SaturdayMotivation

— Ankit (@i_m_born2fly) January 14, 2023

Finally we did it.lets goooo Shaw !!!!

— S A I K I R A N (@sachinfan1045) January 13, 2023