Failed drug test, disciplinary issues: Prithvi Shaw's timeline of controversies leading up to Ranji Trophy omission

[rollingstoned]

Failed drug test, disciplinary issues: Prithvi Shaw's timeline of controversies leading up to Ranji Trophy omission

 

Oct 22, 2024 6 minute readRanji Trophy 2024

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Prithvi Shaw has been omitted from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team reportedly due to poor fitness and for being irregular during practice sessions - what has gone wrong for the prodigy?

 

Shaw has made headlines since his school days. His habit of scoring huge knocks consistently made him a star for the future, with several predicting him to have a successful international career.

He made his debut in 2018, scoring a hundred in his first Test but his career remains largely unfulfilled since then. He has played just 12 international matches, with his last appearance coming over three years ago.

Reports of indiscipline and a casual approach to fitness have been at the forefront of his downfall. Here’s a timeline of the many controversies he has been involved in since.

November 2018: Sent back from the Australia tour

Just a few months after his debut, Shaw was picked to play against Australia in 2018. However, he injured his ankle during training and was ruled out of the first Test as a result. Shaw was soon sent back home, with reports suggesting he was “losing focus”, which was soon dismissed as speculations by the player.

July 2019: Suspended for taking a banned substance

A few months after his debut, in 2019, Shaw was suspended after his urine samples, collected during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, were detected with traces of terbutaline. The BCCI handed him a backdated ban of eight months. In his reply to the board, Shaw said he had taken an over-the-counter cough syrup to cure his “common cough and cold” and the pharmacist recommended the cough syrup as it would “provide immediate relief.”

However, the Mumbai physio was reportedly not aware of the player being down with flu.

January 2020: Alleged misconduct in the Mumbai dressing room

Shaw’s comeback was plagued with injuries and his supposed lack of discipline made it tougher for him. According to the Times of India, Shaw’s off-field lifestyle delayed his return for team India. “If Prithvi is not making the opportunity count, he can only blame himself. It’s his lifestyle causing all the mess.

“I wouldn’t like to cite particular instances though there’s a list of misconducts that have been reported. The last one was in Baroda. The Mumbai team manager was very angry and reported an incident. I wouldn’t like to get into details here but something’s very wrong. Someone needs to have a very clear and serious chat with him.”

December 2020: Rahane calls out Shaw's fake injury "bluff"

India's former fielding coach R Sridhar has narrated an incident where Ajinkya Rahane's leadership skills were displayed during a warm-up game in Sydney ahead of the Test series. He writes in his book: "There was this incident when Prithvi Shaw was fielding at short leg in a warm-up game in Drummoyne, Sydney. The batter went for a sweep and Prithvi got smacked. As he tried to limp off the park towards the dressing room, Ajinkya was quickly on his case. From his position at slip, he had clearly seen exactly where Prithvi had been hit, which was on the shin pad.

"Rahane went up to him and said firmly, 'Don't take one more step. No one will replace you on the field. I know nothing's wrong with you, I saw the ball hit you on your shin pad. Maybe you were waiting for an opportunity to go back inside, but that's not happening. Go back to short leg and get into position'. Prithvi knew his bluff had been called and subtly, Ajinkya had told the rest that he would brook no shenanigans."

April 2021: Ponting criticises Shaw’s training methods

Ricky Ponting, who was Delhi Capitals’ coach for seven seasons worked closely with Shaw, who was a part of the team since 2018. In 2021, the Australian star revealed that Shaw refused to bat when he hit a rough patch in the IPL and hoped that he would change his habits.

“He had an interesting theory on his batting last year – when he's not scoring runs, he won't bat, and when he is scoring runs, he wants to keep batting all the time.

"He had four or five games where he made under 10 and I'm telling him, 'We have to go to the nets and work out (what's wrong)', and he looked me in the eye and said, 'No, I'm not batting today'. I couldn't really work that out.”

After parting ways with Delhi this year, Ponting again spilt the beans on Shaw, hinting that the Indian was not putting in his best for the team. “That's disappointing for me as a coach not to be able to make certain players better and get the best out of them. But sometimes there's only so much you can give and so many times you can try.

“When you feel like you're not making players better and they're not doing what you need for the team, then you've got to look for other players that can do it for you. So that then comes back to the player.”

May 2021: Stopped by police for breaking Covid-19 rules

Following the suspension of the Indian Premier League in 2021 due to the pandemic, Shaw decided to head to Goa from Maharashtra in his car. However, he was stopped while on his way for driving without an e-pass, made mandatory by the government for travelling during the second wave. He obtained an e-paas later.

March 2022: Fails the yo-yo test

Shaw failed the yo-yo test ahead of the 2022 IPL, with the player failing to meet the required score of 16.5 for men. Shaw scored less than 15. At least 25 Indian players were a part of the camp at the National Cricket Academy to enhance and maintain peak fitness levels ahead of the T20 World Cup later that year.

 

 

 

February 2023: Shaw’s car attacked with baseball bat

Shaw was having dinner with friends when he was approached by a group asking for selfies. He obliged initially but reportedly denied their requests a second time. The group, allegedly waited for Shaw to emerge from the hotel and then smashed the windshields of his car.

A social media influencer Sapna Gill later alleged the cricketer had molested her, which was refuted by the police.

August 2023: Shaw body-shamed and trolled for receding hairline

Shaw was taking part in the One-Day Cup in England, where he became the first Indian batter to score two List A double hundreds in two different countries. He smashed 244 in just 153 balls but more than his knock, social media was drawn to his weight and his hairline with nasty comments on his physique. Shaw later admitted that the negative comments had started affecting his mental health.

October 2024: Shaw left out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad

Shaw played the first two matches of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, making a combined score of 59 in four innings. He was not picked for the third round, with the omission being seen as a warning to the 24-year-old.

According to reports, the management and the selectors believe Shaw is overweight, he does not take practice sessions seriously and that dropping him will serve as a lesson for the youngster. While the senior members of the squad are consistent with their training, Shaw reportedly misses them regularly. However, the official word from the Mumbai Cricket Association is that he has been "given a break".

 

 

 

[R!TTER]

I have 0 sympathies for people who stopped working/improving on their work just because they got famous!

[The Realist]

Shaw has turned into a slob, barely a cricketer anymore and living off distant past glories.

 

As Gordon Ramsey would say to a chef going through the motions "he's given up."

[putrevus]

Is his receding hairline due to steriods? too many issues in such a short career.

[Stan AF]

Someone in ICF was actually blaming Ricky ponting and his stint in Dilli franchise for Shaw's failure

[Mariyam]

From the OP:

 

February 2023: Shaw’s car attacked with baseball bat

Shaw was having dinner with friends when he was approached by a group asking for selfies. He obliged initially but reportedly denied their requests a second time. The group, allegedly waited for Shaw to emerge from the hotel and then smashed the windshields of his car.

A social media influencer Sapna Gill later alleged the cricketer had molested her, which was refuted by the police.

 

Who carries a baseball bat in India? Premeditated for Instagram/Youtube engagement?

[CoverDrive]

He will most likely now make a career playing county cricket and maybe as a professional in smaller Ranji teams. Problem is he is used to fame which can lead to very extravagant lifestyle and fame which will be hard to live with. 

[raki05]

He has so much of potential and most overhyped youngster around in last 10 years as if he is second coming to sachin, Bit due to early fame, bad lifestyle and casual approach for his profession destroyed his career.

[Stan AF]

57 minutes ago, raki05 said:

He has so much of potential and most overhyped youngster around in last 10 years as if he is second coming to sachin, Bit due to early fame, bad lifestyle and casual approach for his profession destroyed his career.

Didn't pant & shaw make their test debut in the same year (2018)??

[putrevus]

57 minutes ago, raki05 said:

He has so much of potential and most overhyped youngster around in last 10 years as if he is second coming to sachin, Bit due to early fame, bad lifestyle and casual approach for his profession destroyed his career.

He was never that good to match his hype.Sachin had flawless technique , this guy has has holes everywhere in his technique.

[BacktoCricaddict]

11 hours ago, rollingstoned said:

December 2020: Rahane calls out Shaw's fake injury "bluff"

India's former fielding coach R Sridhar has narrated an incident where Ajinkya Rahane's leadership skills were displayed during a warm-up game in Sydney ahead of the Test series. He writes in his book: "There was this incident when Prithvi Shaw was fielding at short leg in a warm-up game in Drummoyne, Sydney. The batter went for a sweep and Prithvi got smacked. As he tried to limp off the park towards the dressing room, Ajinkya was quickly on his case. From his position at slip, he had clearly seen exactly where Prithvi had been hit, which was on the shin pad.

"Rahane went up to him and said firmly, 'Don't take one more step. No one will replace you on the field. I know nothing's wrong with you, I saw the ball hit you on your shin pad. Maybe you were waiting for an opportunity to go back inside, but that's not happening. Go back to short leg and get into position'. Prithvi knew his bluff had been called and subtly, Ajinkya had told the rest that he would brook no shenanigans."

 

Holy crap. This section was my big takeaway. It put Ajinkya Rahane in a whole new light. Beneath the gentle exterior is a no-nonsense tough guy. Another shining example of real leadership - one doesn't need to be a rah-rah extrovert to be a good leader. It goes a long way in explaining our BGT 2020-21 success.

 

:Hatsoff:

 

Edited October 23, 2024 by BacktoCricaddict

[raki05]

47 minutes ago, Stan AF said:

Didn't pant & shaw make their test debut in the same year (2018)??

I believe Shaw did in 2020.

[NameGoesHere]

I actually wish him best of luck in his private endeavours, T20 tournaments whatever.  Make your money, but save your money, Shaw. 
 

Because my experience over the decades, and seeing what happened to guys like Sadanand Viswanath and Kambli, he doesn’t want to end up near penniless, living in some Mumbai chawl. 

 

Of course his international career is in a death spiral.  That’s his choice. 

But outside of the cricket, something tells me he may need all the luck he can get in the coming years.  

[nevada]

20 minutes ago, NameGoesHere said:

I actually wish him best of luck in his private endeavours, T20 tournaments whatever.  Make your money, but save your money, Shaw. 
 

Because my experience over the decades, and seeing what happened to guys like Sadanand Viswanath and Kambli, he doesn’t want to end up near penniless, living in some Mumbai chawl. 

 

Of course his international career is in a death spiral.  That’s his choice. 

But outside of the cricket, something tells me he may need all the luck he can get in the coming years.  

It's quite sad how things are unraveling so fast for Shaw! He could live off of the IPL alone if he gets his head in the right place and sorts out his fitness issues. Given his flawed technique,  bring an IPL specialist is the best option for him. 

[Stan AF]

1 hour ago, raki05 said:

I believe Shaw did in 2020.

Made his debut on October 2018 against the west indies. Scored a 100.

 

Rishabh pant made his debut the same year in england if I'm not wrong.

[SandeepMotta]

Not everyone can handle success and this guy is a good example,when you start thinking you are bigger than the game, this was bound to happen.

[Ultimate_Game]

What a steep fall! Had so much talent and potential. Looked the closest to Sehwag and I thought would be the mainstay of Indian batting across formats. Unfortunately went the Kambli way instead of Tendulkar. 

[Gollum]

Just 24, can still come back if he puts his mind. 

[tweaker]

Prithvi had this problem from the start ,but board members ignored them.If they had taken action at start he could have not lost his way.

 

Mumbai are now giving opportunity to Youngsters ie Musheer,Mhatre,Raghuvanshi amd they have seniors in Rahane,Iyer,Surya,Dube ,so it would be tough for Prithvi to make a comeback.

 

IPL.sides would be not interested to sign him now.

[rollingstoned]

Greg Chappell pens letter to struggling Prithvi Shaw: 'Don't hesitate to reach out'

Prithvi Shaw, 24, has been going through a difficult phase in his career. The Mumbai batter was dropped from the Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness and disciplinary issues. Legendary Greg Chappell wrote to Prithvi, urging him to find courage to bounce back from the setbacks.

 

 

Prithvi Shaw lost his place in the Mumbai squad in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 (PTI Photo)

 

In Short

• PrithvI Shaw was left out from the Mumbai squad in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
• The 24-year-old last played for India in 2021
• Greg Chappell urged Prithvi to work harder and look to return to the senior national team

Legendary Australian cricketer and former India coach Greg Chappell has written to Prithvi Shaw, urging him to move past recent setbacks and rekindle his determination to play for India. Chappell offered Shaw his support and encouraged the 24-year-old Mumbai batter to reach out if he needed assistance. The letter from Chappell followed Shaw's exclusion from the Mumbai squad after two rounds of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.

 

Greg Chappell cited the examples of the legendary Don Bradman and himself to emphasise that the hurting feeling of being dropped can be directed towards reviving careers, provided the player is willing to put in the hard work.

 

Shaw's career took a downturn when his domestic team, Mumbai, lost patience with him and left him out of the squad after underwhelming performances in the opening rounds of the premier domestic red-ball tournament. Officials in Mumbai cricket cited fitness and disciplinary issues as the reasons for omitting the once prodigiously talented player at the start of the new season.

 

"The past doesn't define you, Prithvi. It's what you do from here that matters. You're still in your prime, with so many years ahead to make your mark. Take this time to visualise the cricketer and person you want to become. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to improve," Chappell wrote in a letter, as quoted by the *Times of India*.

 

The former India head coach remarked that he, like many others, was impressed when Shaw burst onto the scene with his exceptional ability to score big as a teenager.

Shaw made a dazzling entry into Test cricket with a debut century against the West Indies in 2018 at just 18 years old, following impressive performances at the Under-19 level. His strong start pointed to a bright future, with many predicting he would become a mainstay in the Indian national team. His performances in domestic cricket were similarly impressive.

 

However, despite these early achievements, Shaw has struggled to maintain consistency and live up to the high expectations set for him. Hampered by fitness and disciplinary challenges, he has fallen off the radar, with his last Test appearance in 2020 and his last limited-overs match for India in July 2021.

'SETBACKS DON'T DEFINE YOU'

Chappell encouraged Shaw, reminding him that elite athletes are defined not by their setbacks but by their response to them and their ability to bounce back.

 

"Remember, setbacks are a part of every great athlete's story. Even legends like Don Bradman faced the disappointment of being dropped and had to fight their way back. What made them great was not avoiding challenges, but how they responded to them."

 

"That shift – from results-focused to process-focused – transformed my approach to both practice and matches. I encourage you to embark on a similar journey of self-reflection. It’s easy to blame circumstances, but ultimately, your response to these challenges will define your path.

 

Elite athletes know that discipline and sacrifice are essential. It’s about honing not just your physical game, but your lifestyle – from diet to fitness – with the understanding that the pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret," he added.

 

Prithvi Shaw played a crucial role for Mumbai last season, amassing 451 runs across nine innings, with an average of 83.52 and a strike rate of 58.5. He even scored a vital fifty in the Irani Cup match for Mumbai against the Rest of India.

 

In a heartfelt note, Chappell reminded Shaw that many are rooting for his comeback and are ready to support him if needed.

 

"Take care of your body, get the right amount of rest, and build the strength and focus you need. The door back to the Indian team is open if you're willing to walk through it, but it requires a commitment to growth and change. Know that I – and many others – believe in you and are here to support your journey back to the top. If there's ever a way I can help or if you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out. You have everything within you to reach your full potential. Wishing you all the best on this journey. Regards, Greg," he added.