Out-of-favour Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw has been dropped from the state’s Ranji Trophy 2024-25 squad. A day after Shaw was dropped for being overweight and indisciplined; he took to Instagram and posted a story with captain reading “Need a break thx (thanks)”.
As per a report by Indian Express, the selectors have asked Shaw to join a fitness programme for two weeks where Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) trainers will help him get back in shape. Shaw's 35 per cent body fat has been a major issue for the team managemnt and they want him to up the ante in the training to earn his place in the side.
“He has been dropped, and needs to go back to training and shed some body weight to be considered for selection,” an MCA official told the English daily.
Shaw’s performance in last three games for Mumbai
The Under-19 World Cup 2018-winning captain was not impressive in the first two games of Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He registered scores of 7 and 12 in Mumbai's loss to Baroda after a long gap of 26 years. Against Maharashtra, he got out after scoring a single in the first innings. He remained unbeaten for 39 off 36 balls in the run chase of 75. Earlier, in Mumbai’s Irani Cup 2024 win, he followed up a single-digit score with a 76-run knock in the second innings.
Shaw’s international absence and numbers
Shaw has been away from international cricket for more than three years. In his last appearance, he played a T20I against Sri Lanka and got out for a duck. On the same tour, he played his last ODI as well. In Test cricket, he hasn't been able to make a comeback since scores of 0 and 4 in India's infamous loss to Australia in Adelaide that was followed by a miraculous comeback to win Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21.
So far, he has scored 339 runs from five Tests at an average of 42.37 including a century and two half-centuries. His only Test century came on debut against West Indies in 2018.
