Prithvi Shaw granted ‘NOC’ by MCA to represent another state

Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw who had informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he wanted to represent another state as ‘professional’ was granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his parent association on Monday.

“The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) would like to inform that cricketer Prithvi Shaw had formally requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to represent another state as a professional player in the upcoming domestic season. After due consideration, the MCA has granted the NOC,” the MCA said in a statement.

“Prithvi Shaw has been an exceptional talent and has contributed significantly to Mumbai cricket. We respect his decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” MCA secretary Abhay Hadap said.

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“He has sought NoC from us and we will take decision on it soon,” a source in the MCA had earlier confirmed to The Indian Express.

Shaw was dropped by the Mumbai senior selection committee last year from a Ranji Trophy game due to poor fitness and was prescribed a two-week fitness programme prepared by the MCA trainers. The team management had informed MCA that Prithvi Shaw’s body contains 35 percent fat and that he needs rigorous training before he gets back into the side.

It is learnt that Shaw had received offers from two-three states earlier this month. Last October, the selection committee of MCA had taken a call that Shaw needed to shed off a few kilos, if he wants to play for the Mumbai team again. His fitness and form never improved and as a result the selection committee decided to drop him from Vijay Hazare Trophy too which was played in December 2024.

“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,” wrote Shaw in an email to MCA.

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“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,” the mail read.

“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,” added Shaw.

The 25-year-old responded to that sacking, asking what more he needed to do to convince selectors, quoting his List A numbers and promising he would be back, in his social media post. “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..”

While Shaw hasn’t played List A in India since the 2022 Vijay Hazare tournament, he turned out for the One Day Cup in England for Northamptonshire county. His last five innings there were 97, 72, 9, 23, 17. When he last played for Mumbai two autumns ago, his last five scores read 32, 54, 39, 51, and 10.

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After Mumbai won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beating Madhya Pradesh in Bengaluru last year, Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer was asked about Shaw.

“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,” Shreyas had said.

Shaw didn’t find any buyers in the IPL-2024 auction too, going unsold.

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