India opening batsman Prithvi Shaw took his first steps towards returning to the playing XI on Saturday as he received throwdowns at the Perth Stadium.

According to reports, Shaw did not look in discomfort and with the third Test in Melbourne scheduled for December 26, there is enough time for the Mumbai batsman to regain fitness and slot right back into the team.

Shaw’s progress means one of either KL Rahul or Murali Vijay will have to make way and according to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, the out-of-form Vijay looks most likely to miss out.

Vijay has been dismissed by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc three times so far, nicking behind twice in Adelaide and getting clean bowled in Perth.

“I think it’s got to be Murali Vijay who goes,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“It was probably a bit of a bat-off coming into the series between those two. I saw him (Shaw) out in the outfield hitting a few balls, starting to look like he’s getting around a bit better and with 10 days to go before the next Test you’d think he’ll come back in.

“So I think it’s got to be Vijay that goes out.”