Sydney: Indian opener Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out of next week's first Test against Australia after the youngster injured his ankle while fielding during a tour match here on Friday, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The 19-year-old was taken to hospital for scans after he rolled his left ankle when taking a catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary and tumbled over the rope during the third day of the warm-up contest against Cricket Australia XI.
Shaw was chaired off the field by India physiotherapist Patrick Farhart and a support staff member into the away team dressing room at the Sydney Cricket Ground .
"Shaw underwent scans and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury," the BCCI said in a statement. "Shaw will be unavailable for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide."
He will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to hasten the recovery and be available for selection at the earliest."
It was a massive blow for India with the promising teenager an almost certain starter in the four-match series after a spectacular debut against the West Indies last month.India's other opening batsman Lokesh Rahul has struggled for runs and the third option, Murali Vijay, is on the comeback trail after he was dropped following a poor tour of England earlier this year.
Shaw scored an attacking 134 on his debut against West Indies and followed up with a 70 and unbeaten 33 in the second Test against the Caribbeans.
He was also impressive on Thursday with a sparkling 66, hitting 11 boundaries in his 69-ball knock.
India would hope to have him back in the starting line-up for the second Test at Perth, starting on December 14.
