Prithvi Shaw addresses criticism with critical posts on social media amid form and fitness struggles
Indian opener and Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw recently took to social media to share a cryptic post amid mounting criticism of her fitness and lackluster performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024. Shaw’s Instagram story came shortly after a Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) source expressed concern over his fitness and discipline, adding fuel to the ongoing debate over his exclusion from the Mumbai team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
The cryptic story of Prithvi Shaw
Shaw expressed that one should refrain from discussing a subject unless one fully understands it. He criticized the tendency of many people to form and express strong opinions based on incomplete or insufficient information. This statement is widely seen as a direct response to the backlash he has faced, including the MCA’s controversial comments.
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MCA’s statement raises eyebrows
The 25-year-old opener recently featured in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, contributing to the team’s success but struggling to make a noticeable impact with the bat. In nine innings, Shaw scored just 197 runs without a single half-century, including an underwhelming 10-run knock in the final against Madhya Pradesh. While he showed glimpses of his explosive batting potential, his inability to convert promising starts into meaningful scores has raised concerns about his current form.
An MCA source had previously criticized Shaw as needing to improve his fitness, discipline and performance, with fitness being the main concern. His physical condition and frame visibly highlight these issues during matches.
“The fitness concern is there but the performance is also not there at the moment. He needs to work on his fitness, discipline and performance. The main issue is fitness. You see the matches. You get the picture right ?Just by looking at your chart, the fitness issues are there for all to see,,” an MCA source told PTI.
An anonymous source also revealed that Shaw often missed training during the SMAT, citing late-night outings and returning to the hotel at 6 a.m., adding that despite repeated guidelines, his lack of discipline self-sabotaging
“Prithvi Shaw regularly missed practice sessions during the SMAT as he checked into the hotel at 6 am after going out at night. Everyone has contributed, we can’t take care of him. No one is Shaw’s enemy, he is his own enemy“, the source added
Shaw shares an emotional post after being kicked out
MCA’s controversial statement came after Shaw was recently dropped from Mumbai’s 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy squad for this heartfelt message that Shaw posted and his stats on his Instagram story expressed their frustration at being overlooked despite his stellar national record of 3,399 runs in 65 innings at an average of 55.7 and a strike rate of 126. He reaffirmed his faith in God, promised to return and thanked his followers, signing with “About Sai Ram”.
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