Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw recently shared his workout video on Instagram amid growing concerns about his weight and fitness. In the shared video, Shaw participated in an intense gym session, where his regime included weight training and he also took in some batting practice. Shaw returned to the spotlight, but not for positive reasons; He was left out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad for the third round match against Tripura. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) did not specify the reason for Shaw’s dismissal in its announcement, instead opting for 29-year-old left-handed opener Akhil Herwadkar instead. Although Shaw had a difficult start to the season with a string of low scores, it has now emerged that this absence was linked to concerns over his fitness and discipline.

Prithvi Shaw’s season started with a series of low scores, but recent reports suggest that his omission was not based on performance alone. According to PTI, Mumbai’s inauguration was missed faced multiple training sessions and fitness issues; the coaching staff noted that he was “slightly overweight”. Shaw has been advised to focus on improving his fitness over the next few weeks and the Mumbai opener is aiming to improve his fitness.

Watch the video here-

Shaw left out of Mumbai squad

“You have to look at his fitness and his running when he is on the field. MCA has a rich history and there cannot be exceptions for a particular player,” a Mumbai Cricket Association official was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Prithvi was dismissed for 1 in the first innings of Mumbai’s home match against Maharashtra. But he played a part in the first win of the season, scoring an unbeaten 39 in the second innings.

Against Baroda in Vadodara, Prithvi Shaw managed to score just 7 and 12 points as the defending champions suffered a season-opening defeat. Prithvi was, however, in good form in the Iran Cup, scoring a match-winning 76 in the second innings against the Rest of India in Lucknow. Prithvi struggled in the County Championship, managing just 71 runs across six innings for Northants.

Prithvi Shaw played a key role for Mumbai last season, scoring 451 runs in 9 innings at an average of 83.52 and a strike rate of 58.5.