Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer has urged Prithvi Shaw to work on his discipline and professionalism, suggesting that the young batter must take responsibility for his progress. Despite being one of India’s brightest talents, Shaw has played only 11 international matches since his Test debut in 2018, where he famously scored a century just before turning 19.
Shaw’s recent struggles have been compounded by fitness issues, leading to his exclusion from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad earlier this season. While he returned to action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, where Mumbai clinched the title, his contributions—197 runs in nine games at a strike rate of 156.34—were a mix of promising cameos and low scores.
Iyer addressed Shaw’s inconsistency, saying that he needs to get his work ethic right, and if he does that, the sky is the limit for him. But we can’t babysit anyone. Every professional at this level needs to know what they should be doing.” He added that Shaw must reflect and find his solutions.
The batter’s challenges extend beyond domestic cricket. Earlier this year, Shaw was dropped by his IPL team, Delhi Capitals, and failed to attract any bids during the IPL 2025 auction. Despite inputs from various cricketing experts, including a letter of advice from former Australia captain Greg Chappell, Iyer believes Shaw must independently determine how to get back on track.
Mumbai’s Youngsters Shine in Title-Winning SMAT Campaign
Shreyas Iyer also lauded Mumbai’s fearless youngsters for their contributions to the team’s success in the SMAT 2024. Mumbai, which previously won the Ranji Trophy last season, showcased its depth and determination during the T20 competition, defeating Madhya Pradesh in the final to secure the trophy.
Every individual stepped up at the right time,” Iyer said. He particularly praised the younger players for their bold approach and ability to rise to the occasion. “Their character and approach, both on and off the field, are phenomenal. These are the kind of players we need to back going forward.
While Mumbai boasted an experienced top order, featuring Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shivam Dube, their bowling line-up was largely inexperienced. Key performers like Suryansh Shedge, Royston Dias, and Atharva Ankolekar made significant strides despite limited exposure to high-pressure matches. Shedge made his T20 debut during the tournament, while Dias played just nine career matches before the final.
Mumbai’s bowling faced early struggles, conceding 224 runs in their opening match against Goa. However, the unit turned things around in the knockout stages. In the final, they restricted Madhya Pradesh to 170 on a batting-friendly pitch in Bengaluru, demonstrating resilience and adaptability under lights.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Iyer called it a commendable effort” and expressed joy at leading such a talented squad. Winning is everything to me, and this squad made it an incredibly fun and fulfilling journey, he concluded.