The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has lashed out at Prithvi Shaw following his emotional outburst on social media following his exclusion from Mumbai's squad for the upcoming 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on Saturday, December 21.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has labeled the Indian batsman as his “own enemy” as the state body pointed to recurring disciplinary issues, ethics and poor form as the key reasons that have blighted his career.
He was part of Mumbai's title-winning squad in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but was dropped from the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 due to poor fitness and form, prompting the batsman to address the media social media to express her frustration with his rant.
However, MCA did not hold back in their response, saying that Prithvi Shaw's behavior both on and off the field violated disciplinary norms on a regular basis. A senior MCA official revealed that Shaw's lack of discipline was so evident during the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that the team was often “forced to hide” him on the field due to his poor fitness levels .
The official said that during the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, Shaw struggled to even reach balls hit close to him, leaving the team with only 10 active players at times. He also claimed that Shaw frequently skipped practice sessions during the SMAT after returning to the team hotel at “six in the morning” following late nights out.
His fitness, discipline and attitude are poor: MCA
The MCA official was quoted by PTI on condition of anonymity: “In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, we were playing with 10 fielders as we were forced to hide Prithvi Shaw. The ball was going past him and he could barely get to it.”
The MCA official also noted that Shaw's fitness and attitude issues were evident even while batting. He also revealed that the senior players of the Mumbai side have started voicing their frustration over Shaw's repeated failure to live up to the team's expectations and about his approach.
The official added: “Even as he was batting, I could see that he was struggling to get to the ball. His fitness, discipline and attitude are poor and it's quite simple: there can't be different rules for different players. Even the seniors in the team have started complaining about his attitude now.”
MCA slams Prithvi Shaw's behaviour, labels him 'His own enemy'
The MCA also made it clear that Prithvi Shaw's emotional posts will not change anything. Senior MCA official said that Shaw has only himself to blame for his exclusion as he does not even stick to the fitness program at the MCA Academy.
The official made it clear that Shaw's poor attitude and lack of discipline have become major problems and real obstacles to his career, saying he is his own enemy. Notably, Shaw also went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction last month.
The MCA official signed off saying, “You would be wrong to think that such social media posts would have any impact on the Mumbai selectors and the MCA. He does not follow the specified fitness program at the MCA Academy as well. I'll tell you one thing. No one is Shaw's enemy. He is his own enemy.”