Image: Prithvi Shaw was dropped from the Vijay Hazare Trophy and criticized by the MCA / © NewsBytes
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has responded firmly to Prithvi Shaw’s emotional reaction over being excluded from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, accusing the young batter of repeated disciplinary breaches and lack of commitment. An MCA official, speaking anonymously to sources, revealed that Shaw’s fitness and attitude issues have long been a concern.
Shaw’s off-field behavior also drew criticism, as he reportedly missed training sessions and returned late to the team hotel. The official said:
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, we were playing with 10 fielders as we were forced to hide Prithvi Shaw. The ball would pass near him and he would barely be able to get to it.
Shaw, who was once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, has seen his career stagnate. His last Test appearance was in 2020, and he hasn’t played white-ball cricket for India since 2021. Even in the IPL auction, he went unsold, despite a modest base price of ₹75 lakh.
Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer echoed these concerns, stated:
He needs to get his work ethic right. And if he does that, (the) sky’s the limit for him,” Iyer told reporters in Bengaluru. We can’t babysit anyone, right? He has played so much of cricket. Everyone has given him input… it’s his job to figure out things for himself. And he has also done it in the past. It’s not that he hasn’t.
Despite being offered a fitness program by the MCA, Shaw reportedly failed to follow it. Once seen as a prodigy with limitless potential, Shaw’s struggles with discipline and consistency have frustrated the cricketing fraternity, with many now urging him to focus and reignite his career.