Prithvi Shaw’s Fury: Why He Swung His Bat at Musheer Khan

A moment of high drama and controversy overshadowed a brilliant batting display by Prithvi Shaw during a warm-up fixture between Maharashtra and Mumbai ahead of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The incident, which saw the former India opener angrily confront his ex-Mumbai teammate, Musheer Khan, has been primarily attributed to an act of on-field sledging—specifically, a sarcastic send-off delivered by the bowler after taking Shaw’s wicket.

The fiery confrontation took place at the MCA Stadium in Pune, shortly after Shaw, representing his new side Maharashtra, was dismissed for a spectacular 181. Having played a dominant innings against his former team, the tension on the field was already palpable. The flashpoint occurred in the 74th over when Shaw, attempting a slog-sweep off the bowling of Musheer Khan, was caught at deep fine leg.

As Shaw began his walk back to the pavilion, Musheer Khan allegedly offered a sarcastic verbal send-off, reportedly using the phrase, Prithvi Shaw”

This final gesture, perceived as an act of provocation and disrespect, immediately incensed the departing batsman. Shaw reacted aggressively, charging toward Musheer Khan. Reports and video footage circulating on social media indicate that the confrontation escalated quickly, with Shaw allegedly attempting to grab Musheer Khan’s collar and swing his bat in anger towards the Mumbai player.

The situation spiraled into a heated verbal altercation, forcing the on-field umpires and other Mumbai players, including former teammate Siddhesh Lad, to intervene swiftly to separate the two players and de-escalate the tension.

The switch in allegiance by Shaw—moving from Mumbai to Maharashtra earlier in the year—added an extra layer of emotional intensity to the encounter, as he faced his former teammates for the first time. While match situations often involve competitive banter, Musheer Khan’s send-off appears to have been the direct catalyst that triggered Shaw’s visible display of frustration, leading to the aggressive physical reaction that marred an otherwise impressive performance with the bat.

While the Maharashtra captain, Ankit Bhawne, later played down the incident as something that “happens” among former teammates in a practice match, the volatile nature of the clash has brought Prithvi Shaw’s temperament and on-field conduct back into the spotlight.