India vs Sri Lanka 2021: Prithvi Shaw gives whirlwind start despite blow on helmet

The fearless Prithvi Shaw even took a blow on his helmet but shrugged it off almost immediately to carry on. After smashing Sri Lankan paceman Dushmantha Chameera for two fours in the fifth over of the innings, Shaw misjudged a short delivery and ducked into a bouncer.

India opener Prithvi Shaw has a point to prove to the Indian selectors. The talented Mumbai batsman, playing in only his fourth ODI, gave Shikhar Dhawan’s side a flying start in the first ODI against Sri Lanka chasing 263 to win at Colombo on Sunday (July 18). Shaw smashed 43 off just 24 balls as India raced along to 58 in less than six overs. The fearless Shaw even took a blow on his helmet but shrugged it off almost immediately to carry on. After smashing Sri Lankan paceman Dushmantha Chameera for two fours in the fifth over of the innings, Shaw misjudged a short delivery and ducked into a bouncer. The ball hit the Delhi Capitals opener of the side of the helmet and raced to the fine leg boundary for four. By the end of that over, India had reached 57/0 in five overs – their highest in an ODI innings surpassing 53/0 against Australia in 2020. Shaw’s cracking knock didn’t last too long after that as he holed out to Avishka Fernando at long-on off Dhananjaya de Silva for 43 with nine boundaries.