India will be without batsman Prithvi Shaw for next month’s first Test against Australia in Adelaide.

Shaw has been sidelined by an ankle injury sustained during this week’s fixture against a Cricket Australia  XI in Sydney. He is also in doubt for the second Test in Perth.

If he is replaced in the squad, India will likely add the experienced Shikhar Dhawan or uncapped Mayank Agarwal.

‘Shaw underwent scans this morning and the reports revealed a lateral ligament injury,’ read a statement from the board of control for cricket in India.

‘Shaw will be unavailable for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. He will undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to hasten the recovery.’

The talented 19-year-old averaged a remarkable 118.50 in Test cricket since his October 2018’s debut against the West Indies. His talents were particularly on display with a superb 134 in Rajkot.

‘”In whichever format he’s played, he’s made a mark straightaway. Wherever he has played he has shown he can adapt to conditions and the stage as well. He plays with a lot of clarity, and the impressive thing about him is he gets into good positions. The fearlessness of youth probably helps him,’ added India batting coach Sanjay Bangar.

He also impressed for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

Photo: Getty