Prithvi Shaw, the prodigious Indian opener, has faced a setback in his career after being dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness and disciplinary concerns. The exclusion has sparked a debate about the role of physical appearance in determining a player’s fitness in cricket.
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has come to Shaw’s defense, arguing that weight or body shape should not be the primary measure of fitness. He points to the example of Sarfaraz Khan, who despite facing scrutiny over his physique, recently scored a brilliant 150 against New Zealand.
Gavaskar emphasizes that cricket fitness should be judged by a player’s ability to perform on the field, such as scoring runs or bowling overs. He questions the relevance of body fat percentage, stating that it is not a reliable indicator of a player’s fitness or ability.
Sources indicate that Shaw has been irregular in attending training sessions and has been observed as being overweight. However, Gavaskar believes that these issues can be addressed through proper guidance and support. He urges Shaw to focus on his fitness and discipline, while also reminding him of his immense talent.
The exclusion from the Ranji Trophy squad is a wake-up call for Shaw, who has been struggling to regain his form in recent times. He has been dropped from the Indian team and has faced criticism for his inconsistent performances.
Shaw’s exclusion has also raised questions about the culture within the Mumbai team. Some reports suggest that there may be a lack of discipline and accountability, which could be contributing to the team’s poor performance in the Ranji Trophy.
It remains to be seen how Shaw will respond to this setback. He has the talent and potential to be one of the best batsmen in the world, but he needs to address his fitness and discipline issues if he wants to fulfill his potential.
