Prithvi Shaw has made a significant decision regarding his cricketing future by requesting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to represent another state as a professional. His decision stems from ongoing fitness and selection issues that have troubled him over the past year.
“He has sought NoC from us and we will take decision on it soon,” a source from the MCA confirmed. Shaw had been dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad last year due to poor fitness and was given a two-week fitness program by MCA trainers.
Reports suggested his body fat had reached 35 percent, and he was advised to undergo intense training. The selection committee reiterated in October 2024 that Prithvi Shaw needed to lose weight to be eligible for team selection. However, with his fitness and form not showing improvement, he was also excluded from the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2024.
Emotional Note and Future Aspirations
In an email to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for the support he received over the years. “Would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for the valuable opportunities and unwavering support extended to me during my time representing the association.”
“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be part of the MCA setup, and I am deeply grateful for the exposure and experience I have gained here,” he wrote. He went on to mention his new plans, “At this juncture in my career, I have been presented with a promising opportunity to play professional cricket under another State Association, which I believe will further contribute to my growth and development as a cricketer.”
“In light of this, I kindly request you to issue me a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that will enable me to officially represent the new State Association in the upcoming domestic season.” Shaw concluded his message with deep respect for the MCA, adding, “Please be assured that this decision has been made after careful consideration, and with utmost respect for the MCA. I remain ever grateful to the association for the guidance and platform provided over the years.”
Public Reaction and Career Status
After being dropped, Shaw took to social media expressing his frustration and determination to return. “Tell me God, what more do I have to see.. if 65 innings, 3399 runs at an average of 55.7 with a strike rate of 126, I’m not good enough… but I will keep my faith in you and hopefully people believe in me still… cause I will come back for sure.. Om Sai Ram..”
Despite his strong record in List A cricket, Shaw has not played domestically in India since the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He did, however, represent Northamptonshire in the One Day Cup in England, where he had a few decent scores. During Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win, captain Shreyas Iyer was asked about Shaw’s absence.
“We can’t babysit anyone, right? He has played so much of cricket. Everyone has given him inputs. At the end of the day, it’s his job to figure out things for himself. And he has also done it in the past. It’s not that he hasn’t. He has to focus. He has to sit back, put a thinking cap on. He will get the answer by himself. No one can force him to do anything,” Iyer said. Shaw also remained unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, marking a challenging phase in his career.
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