Ex-India selector Sarandeep Singh reckons that the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel should have picked Prithvi Shaw in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting August 4.

Shaw travelled to Australia with the Indian team but lost his place following low scores of 0 and 4 in the Test series opener at the Adelaide Oval. He was also dropped from the squad for the four-Test series against England at home.

After being axed from the national team, the 21-year-old roared to form in domestic cricket, piling up a staggering 827 runs in 8 innings while playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. In the suspended 2021 edition of IPL, Shaw played 8 innings, amassing 308 runs at an impressive strike rate of 166.48 with three half-centuries.

According to Sarandeep, Shaw should have been included as he has the experience of playing at the highest level. He also expressed his surprise over Abhimanyu Easwaran’s selection as a standby player.

“I am surprised with Easwaran’s selection. I thought Prithvi Shaw is an experienced player at international level, and has played Tests. He is currently in form also. He should have been included. I would have even thought of Devdutt Padikkal, because you need to reward domestic performances too,” Singh told IANS.

Meanwhile, India's young opening batsman Shubman Gill is doubtful for the England Test series after sustaining a shin injury.

According to a TOI report, Gill is likely to be flown back home with two shin splints and would not be seen in action during the whole series.

The report also suggests that the team management is keen on availing the services of Shaw, who is currently on the white-ball tour to Sri Lanka.

Prithvi Shaw will have to serve quarantine if he needs to be available from the first match of the five-Test series against England. The BCCI, thus, needs to make a decision quickly.