Prithvi Shaw Stayed Out All Night, Returned to Hotel at 6 AM: Report Reveals Key Details Behind His Exclusion

The Mumbai Cricket Association, in a strong response to the emotional outburst of Prithvi Shaw over his exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, today said that the talented batter had been consistently indisciplined and unfit.

Speaking to PTI, the official revealed that Shaw’s unfitness and poor attitude were such that the team used to hide him in the field during matches. “During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it felt like we were playing with 10 fielders because we had to compensate for Shaw. Balls would pass close to him, but he could barely reach them,” said the official, who spoke on conditions of anonymity.

This officer, too, cited that it’s not just a batting-related issue but overall fitness and discipline are concerned issues on his part. “There cannot be different rules for different players. Even senior team members have started complaining about his attitude,” the source said.

Shaw was also frustrated when he did not get a place in the 16-member squad of Vijay Hazare Trophy after his team had emerged victorious in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He voiced his frustration through a social media post that went viral and which MCA officials downplayed as ineffective in impressing selectors.

The off-field activities of the batter had also raised concerns. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, Shaw missed training sessions often as he had stayed out late and would return to the hotel as late as 6 AM.

Not to be left behind are criticisms of Shaw’s behavior coming from teammates. Mumbai skipper Shreyas Iyer weighed in on the matter right after the team won the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. “He needs to fix his work ethic. The potential is there, but we can’t babysit him. It’s his responsibility to figure things out,” said Iyer.

Earlier, Shaw was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad for similar disciplinary reasons and given a fitness program to follow at the MCA Academy, which he reportedly has not adhered to.

Shaw made a bright Test debut against West Indies in 2018 with a century but has gone downhill since then. He played only four more Tests since that match, with the last being in 2020. He hasn’t done too well in the white-ball format as well, without any appearance for India in ODIs and T20Is since 2021.

Despite going into the IPL auction with a base price of a modest ₹75 lakh, Shaw had no takers and was the biggest disappointment in his career.

“No one is against him,” the MCA official concluded. “He is his own worst enemy.”

The once-prospective cricketer continues to face challenges that could hinder his return to the spotlight unless significant changes are made in his approach.