Prithvi Shaw left out of India's U-19 Asia Cup squad to enable him to play in ongoing Ranji Trophy

New Delhi: Looking at the bigger picture, the BCCI junior selection committee on Monday decided to leave 17- year-old rising batsman Prithvi Shaw out of the U-19 Asia Cup in Malaysia next month for an extended run in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Shaw had captained the India U-19 side during the limited overs series on the England tour in August. [caption id=“attachment_4150483” align=“alignleft” width=“381”] File image of Prithvi Shaw. Image courtesy: BCCI websiteB[/caption] “The selectors were of the opinion that 17-year-old Prithvi Shaw, who recently scored a century (154) in the Duleep Trophy final, should play in the ongoing Ranji Trophy,” said the BCCI in a statement. A BCCI official, who did not wish to be quoted, said the decision was taken in consultation with India A and U-19 coach Rahul Dravid, who wants the rising Mumbai batsman to focus more on Ranji Trophy. Shaw, who hit a hundred on first class debut in last year’s Ranji final between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, also struck a match-winning century in the Duleep Trophy final last month. Himanshu Rana will captain the U-19 squad in Shaw’s absence. The Asia Cup will be held in Malaysia from 9-20 November. The tournament was supposed to take place in India but Pakistan objected to travelling to the neighbouring country, citing security concerns. The Squad: Himanshu Rana (Captain), Abhishek Sharma (vice-captain), Atharva Taide, Manjot Kalra, Salman Khan, Anuj Rawat, Harvik Desai, Riyan Parag, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, Tanush Kotian, Darshan Nalkande, Vivekanand Tiwary, Aditya Thakare, Mandeep Singh.