After Prithvi Shaw was snubbed from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) rejected his dramatic outburst, saying the temperamental batter is 'his own enemy' and has repeatedly broken disciplinary rules. The official disclosed that the team 'had to hide' Shaw on the field because of his serious fitness problems during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
MCA on Shaw
"The ball would pass near him, and he would barely make an effort to reach it. Even while batting, he struggled to reach the ball. His fitness, discipline, and attitude are lacking, and we cannot have different rules for different players," the official said, speaking anonymously to PTI.
Shaw allegedly skipped training sessions and frequently returned to the team hotel at odd hours, raising worries about his behaviour off the field as well. Senior team members have been more irritated with these actions and have started to express their disapproval.
Prithvi Shaw, who was a member of Mumbai's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning team but was left out of the 16-man Vijay Hazare squad, resorted to social media to vent his dissatisfaction. The MCA official, however, downplayed the significance of such posts, stressing that public sentiment would not affect the selectors' choices.
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"Social media posts will not sway the Mumbai selectors or the MCA. Shaw needs to focus on his game, not on gaining sympathy," the official remarked.
Shaw's talent has been overshadowed by off-field issues and dismal performances. He was removed from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy team in October and given a training regimen at the MCA Academy, which he allegedly did not adhere to strictly. To make matters worse, Shaw failed to sell at the IPL auction even though he had set a low base price of Rs 75 lakh. This marked another blow for the player once considered Indian cricket’s next major star.
The cricket fraternity is disappointed that Prithvi Shaw has not been able to reach his full potential. "No one is Shaw's enemy. He is his own enemy," the MCA official concluded his statement on Prithvi Shaw.
