India batter Prithvi Shaw, who has faced challenges in recent years to secure regular playing time in both domestic and international cricket, has been named in Mumbai’s list of 28 probables for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This is scheduled to take place from November 23 to December 15, offering Shaw a crucial opportunity to make his return to the crease after numerous struggles.
Shaw’s career has experienced a series of ups and downs, with his early promise slowly overshadowed by inconsistent performances and fitness concerns. His career trajectory took a significant downturn earlier this season when Mumbai dropped him from their squad for the premier domestic red-ball competition, citing fitness and disciplinary issues. The move came after underwhelming performances in the opening rounds of the Ranji Trophy, with Shaw failing to impress selectors despite his undeniable talent.
The 25-year-old made a sensational entry into Test cricket, scoring a debut century against the West Indies in 2018 at just 18 years old, following a series of strong performances at the Under-19 level. This bright start raised hopes of him becoming a fixture in the Indian national team. However, Shaw’s consistency has been a major issue since then. Fitness concerns, along with off-field issues, have hindered his progress, and he has not played for India since his last limited-overs appearance in 2021. His last Test match was in 2020.
Shaw’s inclusion in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy probables is a vital chance for him to rediscover his form. Mumbai’s domestic T20 competition will split the season with the Ranji Trophy and the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy, which will see the league round played from November 23 to December 5, with the knockouts scheduled from December 9-15.
In the meantime, Shaw faces stiff competition for spots in Mumbai’s playing XI, with in-form players like Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, and Shams Mulani making their presence felt. This season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could prove to be a pivotal point in Shaw’s career if he can put his struggles behind him and regain his place in both domestic and international cricket.
