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The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has publicly criticized Prithvi Shaw's fitness and discipline, citing these shortcomings as the primary reasons for his exclusion from the Mumbai squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. An unnamed senior MCA official, speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI), painted a stark picture of Shaw's contributions (or lack thereof) to the team during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The official claimed that Shaw's poor fitness rendered him a liability on the field, to the point where the team effectively played with only ten fielders because Shaw's positioning was strategically limited due to his inability to cover ground effectively. The official's statement, 'In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, we were playing with 10 fielders as we were forced to hide Prithvi Shaw,' powerfully illustrates the extent to which Shaw's fitness issues impacted the team's performance. This situation created frustration not only for the coaching staff, but also amongst senior team members who reportedly complained about Shaw's attitude and lack of commitment.
The official's account details Shaw's poor fitness, lack of discipline, and overall attitude as contributing factors to his downfall. Beyond the on-field issues, Shaw's consistent failure to attend training sessions, often arriving late after late nights, added to the MCA's concerns. The official's description of Shaw arriving at 'six in the morning' after a night out highlights the gravity of his inconsistent behavior. This lack of professionalism, combined with his poor fitness, points to a deeper issue beyond mere athletic capabilities. It suggests a fundamental lack of commitment to the team and the game itself, which directly contradicts the expectations of a professional cricketer at his level. This lack of commitment, combined with the negative impact on team morale, ultimately led to his exclusion from the team.
Shaw's reaction to his exclusion was to post a frustrated rant on his Instagram account, showcasing his statistics as a means of justifying his inclusion. However, this public display of frustration did little to alter the MCA's decision. The official explicitly stated that such social media posts would have no impact on the selectors' decisions, highlighting the fact that performance and conduct on and off the field, rather than social media presence, are the primary criteria for selection. This underscores the MCA's commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and discipline within the team, regardless of individual talent or past achievements. The official's assertion, 'You would be wrong to think such posts on social media would have any impact on the Mumbai selectors and the MCA,' directly addresses Shaw's approach and reiterates the MCA's unwavering stance.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Shaw's captain during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shreyas Iyer, openly criticized Shaw's work ethic, stating that the team could not 'babysit' anyone. This public criticism from a teammate and captain further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the wide-ranging impact of Shaw's actions on the team's dynamics and morale. Moreover, the official revealed that Shaw failed to adhere to the fitness program assigned to him following his exclusion from the Ranji Trophy squad in October, showing a pattern of disregard for both the team's expectations and his own professional development. This consistent pattern of poor conduct and disregard for directives further strengthens the MCA's decision to leave Shaw out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad.
The official concluded the interview by stating that no one within the MCA harbors ill will towards Shaw, asserting that 'No one is Shaw’s enemy. He is his own enemy.' This statement underscores the MCA's belief that Shaw's problems stem from his own lack of discipline and commitment, not from any external antagonism. The official's concluding message is one of hope and encouragement, emphasizing that Shaw still possesses immense potential, but only if he addresses his fundamental issues with fitness, discipline, and attitude. The future of Prithvi Shaw's career, therefore, rests entirely on his willingness and ability to overcome these self-imposed obstacles and demonstrate the commitment and professionalism necessary to succeed at the highest levels of professional cricket.