New Delhi: Once regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has witnessed a drastic downfall in his cricketing career. Shaw, who is no stranger to controversies, has hit a new low in his career as he has been dropped from Mumbai’s squad for their upcoming clash against Tripura in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
Shaw has reportedly been axed over fitness and disciplinary issues and has been replaced by left-handed opener Akhil Herwadkar. Shaw’s axing was confirmed via a press release by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). While MCA didn’t provide the actual reason for dropping Shaw, a report in Cricbuzz revealed that the batter was axed due to multiple issues regarding his fitness and discipline.
As per Cricbuzz, the Mumbai selectors and the team management decided to drop Shaw for the game against Tripura to send a warning to the 24-year-old batter, who has been irregular to the nets and has apparently not been taking the practice sessions seriously. Shaw has also been deemed ‘overweight’ by the team management and has been asked to work on his fitness.
The report further adds that the other India players like Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur have been consistent in practice sessions for Mumbai but Shaw has been skipping them regularly. The batter misses two sessions for one attended despite his average returns in the first two matches for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji season.
The Mumbai selectors and team management believe the exclusion can send a message to the opening batter to get his act together as he has had a history of disciplinary issues in his career. The selectors and coaches made a unanimous decision to leave the batter out for the Tripura game owing to his disciplinary and fitness issues.
Prithvi Shaw’s recent performances
Once a run machine for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, Shaw has been far from impressive in the Ranji Trophy this season. In two matches, the 24-year-old opener has managed only 59 runs. He was dismissed cheaply on 7 and 12 in Mumbai’s two innings in their opener against Baroda and followed it up with scores of 1 and 39 not out against Maharashtra.
Mumbai have so far managed one win and one loss in their first two matches in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Shaw was part of Mumbai’s XI in the Irani Cup clash against Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India where he was dismissed cheaply on 4 in the first innings before scoring 76 runs in the second innings. Shaw had displayed great form for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy last season where he notched up 451 runs in 6 matches at an average of 83.51.
The 24-year-old is a vital cog in the Mumbai batting line-up but there is no guarantee on his comeback to the playing XI after the Tripura game. It remains to be seen if Shaw mends his ways and can convince the team management and selectors to reinstate him in the squad as the season progresses. Shaw has played 5 Tests, 6 ODIs and 1 T20I for India in his career so far.
