Ranji Trophy 2024-25 | 'He should take it in the right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission from squad

Former Mumbai head coaches Chandrakant Pandit and Pravin Amre reckon it will be tough for opener Prithvi Shaw 24 to digest his omission from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy teamShortofruns Shaw has been left out of the team that plays Tripura in Agartala in the Ranji TrophyPandit guided Mumbai when Shaw scored a matchwinning 120 on his firstclass debut semifinal v Tamil Nadu at Rajkot in 201617 While Pandit wants Shaw to take his exclusion in the right spirit the young batsmanrsquos Delhi Capitalsrsquo assistant coach Amre feels it is a wakeup callChandrakant Pandit Pravin Amre Santosh PingulkarldquoHe Shaw is a talented cricketer Mumbai legends like Sunil Gavaskar Polly Umrigar Vijay Manjrekar Dilip Vengsarkar Ashok Mankad and Sandeep Patil have set a certain benchmark for city cricketers Though players are doing well other things matter a lot and it is necessary to tell Prithvi that He should take it omission in the right spirit because he is playing for Mumbai not another state team I am sure he will take it well and fulfil the expectationsrdquo Pandit now head coach of Madhya Pradesh told midday from Indore on TuesdayThe former India wicketkeeperbatsman wants every Mumbai cricketer to emulate Test batsman Ajinkya Rahanersquos commitment while playing for MumbaildquoLook at his decorum discipline and approach to play and lead Mumbai He has showcased that commitment There is no question mark on any cricketerrsquos talent or ability whether it is Prithvi or any other player But every cricketer should maintain the decorum of Mumbai cricket I think every Mumbai cricketer aims for two thingsmdashto play for India and win the Ranji Trophy Hence every cricketer should give importance to their fitness and disciplinerdquo Pandit added Also ReadPrithvi Shaws omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitnessAmre was present at the MCABKC ground during the Mumbai versus Maharashtra Ranji Trophy game in which Shaw scored one and 39 not out When asked what is wrong with Shaw Amre said ldquoHe has the skill no doubt about it but for consistency it is so important to have fitness first Once your body is not there right you lose focus They Mumbai Cricket Association know he is an important player and it is so vital to be disciplined focussed and fitldquoItrsquos tough for Shaw to digest that he is not in the team but this I think is a wakeup call because his body needs to be 100 per cent fit It happened to him in IPL 198 in eight games for DC in 2024 IPL too and this is what MCA also feels mdash that he has to take cricket seriously He is just 24 and has a lot of cricket left in him so he should take this positively go there and give some more time to his cricketrdquo Amre remarked Also ReadFrom prodigal talent to fitness issues Prithvi Shawrsquos rise and falling apartMeanwhile Shawrsquos first coach mdash Virarbased Santosh Pingulkar mdash feels Shaw needs to work on his mental preparation ldquoThe mental aspect is quite important He needs to work a lot on mental preparation He should be watchful when he is off the field If he gets mentally fit he will automatically become a disciplined cricketer A few months ago we discussed achieving fitness and focusing on the game but I donrsquot think he thinks about itrdquo Pingulkar said