The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a 28-player probables list for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. The list includes several prominent names such as Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, alongside experienced batsman Ajinkya Rahane. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, Mumbai’s squad appears well-prepared for a competitive season ahead.

Mumbai’s senior selection committee finalises probables

The probables list was selected by the MCA’s Senior Selection Committee, chaired by Sanjay Patil and including Ravi Thaker, Jeetendra Thackeray, Kiran Powar, and Vikrant Yeligeti. This committee has aimed to create a balanced roster that includes senior players and young talents for the domestic T20 competition.

In addition to Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, all-rounder Shardul Thakur and left-arm spinner Shams Mulani have also made the cut. However, star all-rounder Tanush Kotian’s absence from the probables has raised eyebrows. Young wicketkeepers Hardik Tamore and Aakash Anand are among the two selected to take on glovework responsibilities, while promising teenager Ayush Mhatre, who impressed in his debut Ranji season, has also been included.

The players have been asked to report to the MCA Academy at the BKC facility on Saturday, November 9, ahead of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy clash against Odisha, giving the squad an opportunity to begin preparation for the tournament together.

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Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy schedule and Mumbai’s Group E opponents

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is set to begin on November 23, bringing together top domestic teams from across India. Mumbai has been placed in Group E, where they will face off against teams including Goa, Kerala, Services, Maharashtra, and Nagaland. The competition will span several weeks, with the final scheduled for December 15.

Mumbai’s campaign will kick off with a match against their neighbours, Goa. The venue for this opening clash will be announced soon, but the team is eager to make a strong start. With a squad filled with both experienced hands and emerging players, Mumbai will be aiming to lift the trophy and demonstrate their strength in India’s premier domestic T20 competition.

This probables list for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy highlights Mumbai’s commitment to both experienced talent and promising youth. As the team heads into the season, they look to showcase skill and determination in their quest for T20 success. Fans will be keenly watching stars like Shaw and Iyer lead the way as the tournament unfolds.

Down on fitness and form, the Thane-born cricket Prithwi Shaw is experiencing one of the worst lows in his professional cricketing career. Seen and adored as someone who could fill in the shoes of the great Sachin Tendulkar, Shaw has lost his legacy as a specialist batsman and has faded away from the international area due to his poor form.

Shaw has had to deal with multiple exclusions off late. Shaw was last seen in Indian colors in July 2021 and has since then been left out of the Indian squad. Moreover, the 24-year-old has also been axed from his local Ranji team Mumbai along fitness and disciplinary lines.    

Greg Chappell offers some words of encouragement to the youngster 

In the face of acute adversary, former Australia player and coach Greg Chappell comes out in support of the talented youngster. In an open letter, Chappell advised Shaw to keep his spirits high in these testing times. 

Furthermore, Chappell stressed on the positive aspect of getting dropped. The Aussie legend went on to quote examples of himself and Don Bradman and how they were dropped in multiple phases of their career which helped them come back stronger.

"Hi Prithvi, I understand you’re facing a challenging time right now, being out of the Mumbai team. It’s natural to feel frustrated and perhaps a bit uncertain, but I want you to know that these moments are often the turning points for athletes, helping to shape both their careers and their character. Remember, setbacks are a part of every great athlete’s story. Even legends like Don Bradman experienced being dropped and having to fight their way back. What made them great was not avoiding challenges, but how they responded to them."

Chappell's own perspective on Shaw

Chappell has been observing Shaw since his U-19 playing days. Under Shaw's leadership, India went on to win the 2018 U-19 World Cup and on the back of some impressive performances in that tournament, Shaw was selected to make his Test debut against West Indies that year. Chappell urges the youngster to delve deep into self-introspection and not try to back away from facing challenges. The Aussie legend himself faced numerous setbacks in his playing days but learned to take corrective measures to rectify the shortcomings. He expects Shaw to review every aspect of his game and work on his attitude and resilience. 

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Prithvi Shaw, once considered one of India's brightest cricketing talents, has been dropped from the Mumbai side for Round 3 of the Ranji Trophy. Shaw, who had a successful season last year, winning the prestigious Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup, has been "rested" by the Mumbai team, reportedly due to disciplinary reasons. The batter reacted by posting on Instagram that he was taking a break, leaving fans and critics questioning the state of his career.

This latest development comes after Shaw's recent poor performances in the Ranji Trophy and a string of off-field controversies that have affected his career progression.

Struggles with form and disciplinary issues

Prithvi Shaw has played just two matches in the current Ranji season, scoring a meager 7 and 12 against Baroda and 1 and 39* against Maharashtra. Despite his poor form, media reports indicate that Shaw was irregular in attending Mumbai's practice sessions, raising concerns about his discipline and commitment to improving his game. Mumbai's decision to drop him from the squad has been viewed as a disciplinary move, although officially he has been "rested."

Shaw’s response, a brief statement on social media about taking a break, has left his fans speculating about what lies ahead for the young cricketer.

Off-field controversies overshadowing talent

Prithvi Shaw's career has been marred by multiple off-field controversies. One of the most publicized incidents occurred in February 2023 when Shaw was involved in an altercation with fans over a selfie. The situation escalated into a scuffle, and the fan's friends attacked Shaw's friend's car. This incident led to police charges against eight individuals and highlighted Shaw’s struggles with managing fame and public interactions.

Another significant setback was Shaw’s eight-month doping ban in 2019. After testing positive for a banned substance during the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw claimed the substance was consumed unknowingly through a cough syrup. Despite the explanation, the doping ban severely damaged his reputation and forced him out of competitive cricket for months.

Shaw’s fitness has also been called into question, particularly when he failed the Yo-Yo fitness test ahead of the 2022 IPL, further tarnishing his image. Adding to his list of troubles, he was caught breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules in May 2021, which again invited public criticism.

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Despite his undeniable talent, Prithvi Shaw’s off-field controversies and inconsistent performances have overshadowed his cricketing achievements. His promising Test debut century against West Indies in 2018 now seems a distant memory, with his career appearing to stagnate. While his Instagram post suggests he is taking a break, the future remains uncertain for the young opener, whose personal issues continue to hinder his progress.

Shaw's fans hope that he can regain his form, refocus on his career, and put the controversies behind him. Only time will tell if Shaw can overcome these challenges and fulfill his potential as one of India’s cricketing stars.

Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre has recently said that star India opener Prithvi Shaw’s exclusion from the last few games was justified considering the way Abishek Porel was batting in the tournament. Shaw, who played eight games, scored only 198 runs which came at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.63, and struck one half-century.

Prithvi Shaw faced poor form this season

“He [Shaw] was our retained played, and as you see, last four [of five] games he was also on the bench. But that’s the IPL,” Pravin Amre said after DC’s 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in their last league game of the season. “If you are not in form, you can’t [keep your place]. Ultimately, the pressure for the team is so much that every game is important and we have to win. And we had done that. Without playing him, we won the games. And whoever got the opportunity… I think Abishek grabbed the opportunities with both hands.”

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Abishek Porel stepped up with the bat

However, Prithvi Shaw didn’t play the first two games of the season but scored a quickfire 43 off 27 balls against Chennai Super Kings in his first match as well. He also had a 40-ball 66 against Mumbai Indians but he lost his form after that. Porel, on the other hand, smashed 327 runs in 12 innings which came at a strike rate of 159.51. On Tuesday, he smashed 58 off 33 balls, helping DC score 73 in the powerplay, as he added a 92-run stand with Shai Hope for the second wicket as well.

“What an innings [Porel] played today,” Amre said. “We saw Jake [Fraser-McGurk] getting out in the first over and even then we managed to get 73 runs in the powerplay. I think that’s what was so critical and the credit goes to Shai Hope and Porel for getting that 92-run partnership today,” he concluded.

In the three matches Abhishek Porel played as an opener, he scored 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62. Both his fifties also came at the top of the order as well.

Prithvi Shaw played his first game for Delhi Capitals this season after being out of the first two games and scored a quickfire 43 off 27 balls against Chennai Super Kings during Sunday evening’s Indian Premier League match in Visakhapatnam. He also struck two sixes and four fours and helped DC post 93 runs inside 10 overs along with David Warner.

Prithvi Shaw played a stunning knock against CSK

“I don’t really know about this year but obviously during the IPL, they expect me to whack the ball, whack every ball. I don’t take it as pressure or anything. I take it as a challenge and try to do my best. Felt good to play white-ball after so long. It was a good atmosphere,” Shaw said. “After coming out of injury, of course that hunger is there. You want to middle the ball and IPL is that kind of a game, where you middle the ball, you know it’s your day. Usually, it’s about trying and hitting everything but today I was playing smartly because in 4 overs we were 24.”

However, Prithvi Shaw joined Delhi Capitals way back in 2018 and scored 1737 runs from 72 matches at an average of 24.13 with 13 half-centuries as well. In 2021, Shaw was one of the highest scorers of the season, amassing 479 runs, but injuries and poor form decreased his performance.

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Opening up on his transition from a kid to one of the seniors in the team, Prithvi Shaw opened up on his discussions with the Delhi Capitals staff when he was benched against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals as well.

Prithvi Shaw got the support from DC team management

“This is my seventh year with the Delhi Capitals franchise and they have always welcomed me very nicely. They have looked after me like a kid. I’m not a kid anymore; I have become a senior player now since it’s my 7th year. But this year too they knew about my injury. And those five months how difficult it was to come back to the field and get into that zone again. But I was really supported by the owners, support staff, Ricky [Ponting] sir, Sourav [Ganguly] sir, Praveen [Amre] sir,” added Shaw.

“When I didn’t get to play the first two games, they were telling me that you will get an opportunity. We are just trying to do some new stuff and to be honest, I was really happy with it. I just knew that once the opportunity came, I’ll do my best,” Prithvi Shaw concluded.

Delhi Capitals are playing the IPL 2024 season opener against Punjab Kings in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on March 23, Saturday. Delhi Capitals (DC) made headlines by omitting their star Indian opener, Prithvi Shaw, from playing XI in their first IPL 2024 game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). This unexpected move raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts and sparked discussions about the team’s strategy.

Batting first Delhi Capitals scored 174 runs in 20 overs all thanks to impact player Abhishek Porel, who scored 32 runs in just 10 balls.

Rishabh Pant’s Statement on Prithvi Shaw

Upon returning as captain, Rishabh Pant confirmed Shaw’s exclusion from the playing XI and revealed that the young opener was not even considered a potential ‘Impact Player’ for the match against PBKS at the new Mullanpur Stadium.

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Prithvi Shaw’s journey in the IPL has been turbulent, marked by moments of brilliance and inconsistency. His recent performances, particularly in the past two seasons, have been under scrutiny due to a dip in form and productivity.

Implications of Shaw’s Exclusion

Shaw’s omission from the team reflects the management’s concerns over his performance and its impact on the team’s overall strategy. The decision underscores the competitive nature of IPL and the need for players to deliver results consistently.

Netizens’ Response and Speculations

The news of Shaw’s exclusion prompted fans and pundits’ reactions. While some expressed disappointment, others speculated about Shaw’s future with the Delhi Capitals and his prospects for the upcoming seasons. Delhi Capitals’ decision to drop Prithvi Shaw sends a clear message about the team’s priorities and expectations from its players. Netizens wondered if this was a sign of DC team management running out of patience with their faltering opener and that Shaw might consider leaving the team altogether ahead of next year’s mega auction. 

Playing XIs

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh

Punjab Kings Subs: Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Vidhwath Kaverappa

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma

Delhi Capitals Subs: Abishek Porel, Mukesh Kumar, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Vicky Ostwal, Praveen Dubey

Prithvi Shaw, the Indian batsman, found himself unable to leave the desired mark in the ongoing final of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The high-stakes clash between Mumbai and Vidarbha unfolded at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Despite the anticipation surrounding Shaw’s performance, he fell short of expectations on this crucial stage.

Mumbai appeared to hold the upper hand in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Following their innings where they set a target of 224 runs, Mumbai swiftly dismissed the opposition for a mere 105 runs. This commanding performance secured them a substantial lead of over 100 runs in the first innings, providing a strong foundation for the remainder of the match.

Shaw’s Disappointment: Vidarbha’s Revival in Ranji Final

However, the second innings took an unexpected turn. While Mumbai was expected to capitalize on their advantage and play aggressively, Vidarbha’s bowlers emerged as a formidable force. Particularly with the new ball, they troubled Mumbai’s batters, making scoring difficult and putting Mumbai’s hopes of a dominant performance in jeopardy.

Prithvi Shaw’s innings, in particular, faced a premature end due to the brilliance of Vidarbha’s Yash Thakur. Thakur delivered a sensational ball clocking 133.4kph, which skillfully seamed in and shattered Shaw’s defenses. Shaw’s dismissal, after managing just 11 runs off 18 balls, came as a significant blow to Mumbai, leaving them in a precarious position early in their innings.

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Despite Shaw’s earlier promise showcased in the first innings, where he scored a respectable 46 runs off 63 balls, his impact ultimately proved limited. Though he displayed flashes of brilliance with elegant strokes, Shaw failed to deliver the substantial contribution his team needed in such a crucial match.

Further exacerbating Mumbai’s woes, Harsh Dubey contributed to Vidarbha’s dominance by dismissing Bhupen Lalwani. This left Mumbai reeling at 34/2, putting immense pressure on the remaining batters, especially skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan, who now shoulder the responsibility of steering their team to a formidable total among a challenging situation.

Young Indian opener Prithvi Shaw is set to miss out the initial two Ranji Trophy matches, his absence attributed to a knee injury incurred while playing for Northamptonshire. This setback has kept him sidelined for a significant portion of 2023, including key white-ball domestic tournaments such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Recent glimpses of Shaw batting in the nets at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru suggest his recovery is underway. His last competitive appearance was for Northamptonshire against Durham in August’s One Day Cup, where he delivered an unbeaten 125, securing a six-wicket victory for his team.

Mumbai Chief Selector Raju Kulkarni confirmed Shaw’s absence from the initial Ranji matches against Bihar (commencing January 5) and Andhra (from January 12). The selectors aim to have Raghuvanshi and Saxena participate in the Mumbai under-23 team in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy, providing them with valuable match practice.

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Despite a challenging IPL 2023 season with the Delhi Capitals, where Shaw managed just 106 runs in eight innings, the franchise has opted to retain him for another season. Shaw’s resurgence in the One-day cup underscores his potential return to form, strengthening his case for a national team comeback.

Kulkarni revealed discussions with players, particularly batsmen, to address concerns and gather feedback on Mumbai’s poor white-ball performance this season. In response to the team’s lackluster showing, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s selection committee, coaches, support staff, office bearers, and the CIC convened for a comprehensive 15-hour meeting to assess the situation.

The probable squad for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy includes familiar names like Jay Bista, Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shivam Dube. The focus is on revitalizing the team’s performance in the upcoming matches, with an extensive list of players ready to contribute to Mumbai’s campaign.

As per recent reports from the Times of India, the Delhi Capitals have made the decision to retain Prithvi Shaw for the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. This choice marks a departure from earlier speculations that suggested a potential release, with the Capitals choosing to stand by Shaw despite his difficulties in performance and controversies in the preceding edition.

Previously, there were strong indications that Prithvi Saw might be released by the Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. His lackluster run in the tournament last year and his association with various controversies fueled speculations that the franchise was not enthusiastic about retaining him.

However, the latest reports present a different narrative, providing Prithvi Shaw with a significant opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and repay the management’s faith in him. Shaw has been an integral part of the franchise since 2018, contributing significantly as an opening batter.

Delhi Capitals’ Surprising Retention Decision and His Path to IPL 2024

During the last IPL season, Prithvi Shaw endured one of his most challenging phases, resulting in being dropped from the team after a series of subpar performances. In eight games, he managed to accumulate only 106 runs at an average of 13.25 and a strike rate of 124.52. Despite this, if the reports of his retention by the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024 are accurate, Shaw will be eager to reclaim his form and make a strong impact.

In his IPL career spanning 71 games, Prithvi Shaw has scored a total of 1694 runs with a strike rate exceeding 145. Notably, he has recorded 13 half-centuries, with his highest score being 99.

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Additionally, it has been reported that Prithvi Shaw is set to make a comeback to cricket through the Ranji Trophy 2024. Having been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in England, Shaw is undergoing rehabilitation. With his expected recovery in time for the Ranji Trophy starting on January 5th, this presents an excellent opportunity for him to gain match practice ahead of IPL 2024.

The Delhi Capitals have had a disappointing season thus far, winning just two of their seven games to fall at the bottom of the table. This year, their batting has been a major concern, and the fact that one of their most explosive batters, Prithvi Shaw, is going through a terrible time does not help the team. Shaw has only scored 47 runs in six games and was dropped from the DC XI during this week’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In addition, head coach Ricky Ponting’s remarks suggest that Shaw may have to remain sidelined for a longer period of time, despite the fact that his replacement in the position, Phil Salt, was unable to really rise to the occasion against the Sunrisers. Shaw’s poor batting performances thus far in the 2023 season were criticized harshly by the former Australian captain.

“I think it’s 13 games (considering IPL 2022 as well) since Prithvi has made a 50 opening the batting for the Delhi Capitals. There are a lot of other players at the top of the order with other teams that are playing a whole lot better than Prithvi,”

Ponting told the media ahead of the side’s reverse fixture against SRH.

“Prithvi at his absolute best… we know he’s a match winner. That’s one of the reasons that he’s a retained player because we know if he bats a certain amount of balls, we win about 95% of the games. But so far this season, he hasn’t been able to produce,”  .

Ponting further added

Ponting expressed in a self evident truth way that the side needn’t bother with Prithvi Shaw in the XI at the present time, as he referenced his details in this season

“I think the six games that he played were just over 40-odd runs, so that’s not what we require right now. So is it a tough decision to leave him out but hopefully the team that we put on the park tomorrow can go win another game for us,”

said the head coach.