A fiery altercation between out-of-favour India batter Prithvi Shaw and Mumbai’s Musheer Khan during a three-day practice match between Maharashtra and Mumbai has sparked widespread attention. The incident, which occurred at the MCA Stadium in Pune ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, saw tensions flare after Shaw’s dismissal following a stellar 181-run knock off 220 balls. According to a Cricbuzz report, the confrontation was triggered by two words—Musheer’s sarcastic “Thank you”—directed at Shaw as he left the field, prompting a heated response from the 25-year-old.
The match marked Shaw’s first appearance against his former team, Mumbai, since his switch to Maharashtra. Opening the innings alongside Arshin Kulkarni, Shaw dominated with a century in just 140 balls, showcasing his aggressive form from the recent Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament. However, the mood shifted post-dismissal when Musheer, brother of Sarfaraz Khan, taunted Shaw, leading to a verbal spat. Shaw reportedly gestured with his bat during the exchange, escalating the situation until the on-field umpire intervened to restore calm. Both teams later downplayed the incident, with Maharashtra captain Ankit Bhawne stating, “It’s a practice match. They are all former teammates. Such things happen. It’s all ok now.”
The altercation has drawn scrutiny due to Shaw’s ongoing efforts to reclaim his spot in the Indian national team. Once hailed as a prodigy, the right-hander has faced challenges with consistency and off-field issues, making his performances in domestic cricket critical. His 181 against a Mumbai side led by Shardul Thakur was a strong statement, but the clash with Musheer has overshadowed his on-field heroics, fuelling discussions among fans on social media platforms like X.
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Both the Mumbai and Maharashtra teams confirmed to Cricbuzz that Musheer’s remark was the root cause of the dispute, though they emphasized that the matter was resolved. As the Ranji Trophy season approaches, the incident underscores the intense rivalries and emotions in domestic cricket, particularly for players like Shaw striving to revive their careers. With the focus now shifting to the upcoming season, all eyes will be on how Shaw channels this intensity in competitive fixtures.
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