Prithvi Shaw was once compared to the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, even being named the “next Sachin Tendulkar” in a video by the ICC (International Cricket Council). Despite scoring a century on his international debut, Shaw has now been dropped from the Mumbai team, with fitness issues cited as the reason.
Shaw has been left out of the upcoming Ranji Trophy match squad, and left-handed opener Akhil Herwadkar, who has experience playing 41 Ranji matches, has taken his place. Another significant change in the Mumbai team is the exclusion of Tanush Kotian, who has been selected for India’s A team heading to Australia. He has been replaced by 28-year-old left-arm spinner Kars Kothari.
Although the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) did not mention the reason for Shaw’s absence in its press release, the decision to drop the 24-year-old opener is being viewed as a warning. Shaw has had a history of disciplinary issues. According to a Cricbuzz report, the Mumbai selection committee, chaired by Sanjay Patil and including Ravi Thakar, Jitendra Thackeray, Kiran Powar, and Vikrant Yelligeti, felt that Shaw should be sidelined for at least one match. The report also suggests that this decision could serve as a lesson for the opener, who has been irregular in net and practice sessions.
According to the report, the Mumbai team selectors and management believe that Prithvi Shaw is significantly overweight. It has also been noted that he does not take net practice sessions seriously and attends them irregularly. This contrasts with other Indian players in the team, such as Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and captain Ajinkya Rahane, who are consistent with their training.
A senior source from the MCA stated that the selectors, team management, and the captain, along with the coach, were unanimous in their decision to drop Shaw from the team. Shaw, who has played five Tests, six ODIs, and one T20I, was named Player of the Match for scoring a century on his Test debut against the West Indies in Rajkot in 2018. However, he has also been in the news for off-field issues.
In the two Ranji matches Shaw has played this season, his scores were 7 and 12 (against Baroda) and 1 and an unbeaten 39 (against Maharashtra). So far, Mumbai has won one match and lost one this season. Their next match is scheduled from October 26 to 29 against Tripura at the MBB Stadium in Agartala.
