Prithvi Shaw and Musheer Khan’s spirited fight soured what had otherwise been a great batting performance in a warm-up match ahead of the Ranji Trophy. Shaw fought with Musheer seconds after being fired for an outstanding 181 representing Maharashtra against his previous team, Mumbai.
Sources say Musheer Khan gave a short “Thank you”, a seemingly harmless remark but apparently made in a sarcastic tone, as Shaw left the field. That remark seems to have been the turning point after Shaw’s persistent assault on the bowling attack. A video shot of Shaw shows him charging toward Musheer, swinging his bat in a violent arc, and seizing his collar. Umpires and backup players acted quickly to remove Shaw before the situation became worse.
Adding to the drama was the fact that Shaw and Musheer had shared dressing rooms in the past (where Virat Kohli’s viral gesture “Pani Pilata Hai”dedicated to Musheer Khan happened). Their closer proximity as rivals abruptly combined previous friendships with fresh conflict. Though sledging apparently trailed Shaw throughout his innings, it was Musheer’s farewell comments that ultimately crossed the barrier. Maharashtra captain Ankit Bawne tried to downplay the argument, noting that such passionate moments are rather normal in a practice session among familiar faces.
Neither the Mumbai nor the Maharashtra cricket organizations at reporting time confirmed any immediate punitive action. Shaw’s innings were still spectacular despite the disagreement; a 220-ball performance peppered with 21 boundaries and three sixes, part of a 305-run opening partnership with Arshin Kulkarni. Still, the debate guaranteed the day’s story would extend beyond statistics.
The show highlights how fast emotional fault lines can be revealed in athletic competition. It is a reminder that even a dozen verbal rejections, jabs during a long innings, can boil until one final spark, one choice of words, tips the balance. For Prithvi Shaw and Musheer today, that spark came at the wicket gate.
