Prithvi Shaw Parts Ways with Mumbai, Granted NOC to Join New State Team Ahead of Domestic Season

In a significant development ahead of the upcoming domestic cricket season, Indian batter Prithvi Shaw has officially ended his long-standing association with Mumbai after being granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The move clears the path for Shaw to represent another state team as a professional player.

The MCA, in a formal statement on Monday, confirmed Shaw’s request and expressed support for his decision. "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," said MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap.

Prithvi Shaw parts ways with Mumbai after receiving a No Objection Certificate to join a new domestic team.

Shaw, 25, made his debut for Mumbai in 2017 and has since been regarded as one of the most promising talents in Indian cricket. However, his red-ball career has stagnated, and a series of off-field controversies and concerns over fitness and discipline have overshadowed his recent performances. Despite being out of favour in the Ranji Trophy setup, Shaw has continued to feature in white-ball formats.

In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided to him, calling his time with Mumbai a “privilege and honour.” He stated, “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.”

Though the name of the new team remains undisclosed, sources suggest the move has been under consideration for some time, especially after Shaw was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji squad last year. He last represented Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, where his side clinched the title.

Shaw’s departure comes amid continuing questions about his fitness and commitment. Shreyas Iyer, who led Mumbai in that T20 triumph, made a pointed comment earlier this year: “He needs to get his work ethics right… We can’t babysit anyone.”

While Shaw’s talent remains unquestioned—having played five Tests and six ODIs for India—the transition to a new domestic setup could mark a turning point in his career. Whether this fresh start leads to redemption or further challenges remains to be seen.