It isn’t easy being Prithvi Shaw right now. The Mumbai wunderkind’s disappointing run with the bat has intensified talk of excluding him from the first Australia-India Test.

Shaw, one of the prime contenders to take on the opening role alongside Mayank Agarwal for the Adelaide day-night match, has been struggling for runs of late. In four innings in Australia between the two practice games, his numbers read 0, 19, 40 and 3, having not spent more than 31 balls in the middle in a single outing.

The woeful run follows an underwhelming performance in  IPL 2020 for Delhi Capitals: his tally of 228 runs doesn’t quite reveal his struggles in the second half of the tournament, where he totalled just 40 runs in his last seven innings, including three ducks.

Given his rather unconventional batting style, Shaw’s technique has always been scrutinised, but the rapid decline in form has escalated criticism of his off-side wafts, a sizeable bat-pad gap and a problematic head position.

With Shaw’s lack of runs extending across weeks now, the talk surrounding him has gone beyond the technique, with questions now being raised about his temperament, attitude and even fitness.

The Australia tour was supposed to be a full circle for Shaw, who had to make a premature return from Down Under in 2018/19 after an ankle injury laid him low. The Under-19 World Cup winner has, so far, scored a century and two fifties in four Tests, and averages 55.40 in first-class cricket.

With less than a week to go for the first Test, Twitter was abuzz with comments over Shaw’s struggles, soon after his dismissal in the second innings of the India v Australia A practice game.

Does Prithvi Shaw really think he can bulldoze his way through bowling attacks every time he walks out to bat? Seriously, who is talking to him about his approach? Is anyone? So frustrating to watch.#AUSAvIND

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 12, 2020

This video captures the promise and pain of watching Prithvi Shaw. He needs a pinch of Rahul Dravid to pass his exams, this kid. pic.twitter.com/wCAvpWFaGk

— Anand Datla (@SportaSmile) December 12, 2020

Sack Prithvi Shaw from the Indian team. NOW! So frustrating that he doesn't want to mend his methods. #AUSvIND

— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) December 12, 2020

Absolutely zero need to rush Prithvi Shaw into the regular 11. Let him go back to Ranji and fix his temperament. Those loose wafts need to go.

— Raaghav Ram (@idliwadachutney) December 12, 2020

You can't be serious to play Prithvi Shaw as a test opener. Clearly not ready. I don't know what approach Kohli-Shastri are trying this practice match but please don't do it in an actual test. Please.

— Shreyas (@niyamagaana) December 12, 2020

Seems it will be Mayank n KL Rahul opening in first test. Prithvi Shaw's struggles continue.

— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) December 12, 2020

Shaw & Gill have ensured there's not much of a debate left for the opening slot. For the other 2 questions,

Jadeja's injury leaves Ashwin as the only viable spin option but every chance of a 4th seamer playing for India.

And there's the Saha v Pant debate. #AUSAvIND #AUSvsIND

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) December 12, 2020

This video captures the promise and pain of watching Prithvi Shaw. He needs a pinch of Rahul Dravid to pass his exams, this kid. pic.twitter.com/wCAvpWFaGk

— Anand Datla (@SportaSmile) December 12, 2020

Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill should be India's openers in Adelaide if Tour games have any bearing on selection issues. Prithvi Shaw needs to desperately tighten his game, he might soon find his chances run out in attempting to be Virender Sehwag. #AUSAvINDA #Cricket

— Sudipto Ganguly (@Sudipto_Reuters) December 12, 2020

Not the first time and neither will it be the last time that #PrithviShaw will be dismissed in this manner. Lot of work still required on that technique. #AUSAvINDA

— Abhideep Das (@Sportingabhi) December 11, 2020

With Shaw struggling, Shubman Gill, another young contender, has to come out as a popular choice to be slotted alongside Agarwal for the Tests. Gill, Shaw’s opening partner in the warm-up games, seems to have shrugged off a scratchy start to the tour by notching up a couple of notable scores. His numbers so far read: 0, 29, 43, 65.

Shubman Gill has to be India’s opener alongside Mayank Agarwal in the first Test @RealShubmanGill @mayankcricket

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 12, 2020

Subhman Gill has already done enough to be ahead of Shaw for the first Test. Just looks like a proper Test player.

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 12, 2020

The criticism directed towards Shaw wasn’t all negative. Some felt that Shaw had enough time to fix his game and return stronger, with a stint in domestic cricket expected to revitalise his game.

It is definitely possible for Prithvi Shaw to mend his game; for inspiration he only has to look at his opening partner Mayank Agarwal, who was a dasher in his early days, but has learnt the art of batting in long form cricket. https://t.co/mPMFv6LMOR

— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) December 12, 2020

Shaw is most deserving player in this tour

See his test records

Watching his in T20 cricket form for TEST selection,where every over 1-2 fours required is utter foolishness

But yes Shaw lost his place by these 4 innings

Let gill open with Mayank

— KD💿 ⚔️🏹 (@Sudarshana1000) December 12, 2020

I would pay to watch Prithvi Shaw. Even though he is not amongst runs these days but what unique technique and elegant strokeplay

— Saswat Prusty (@saswat_prusty) December 12, 2020

Would love to see @RealShubmanGill make his #test debut. Hope @BCCIdomestic conducts enough matches for Prithvi Shaw to go back to drawing board. May be a few sessions with @pravin__amre or @abhisheknayar1
would do him a World of good. #INDvAUS

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) December 12, 2020