Table of Contents
A high-scoring warm-up match between Maharashtra and Mumbai at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, turned tense on Tuesday when an on-field altercation erupted between Prithvi Shaw and young Mumbai spinner Musheer Khan. The incident unfolded shortly after Shaw’s dismissal, despite his dazzling knock of 181 off 220 balls in his debut appearance for Maharashtra.
Shaw, facing his former Mumbai teammates, was in supreme touch, hammering 21 fours and three sixes during a record 305-run stand with opener Arshin Kulkarni, who himself smashed 186 from 140 balls. The confrontation sparked in the 74th over when Musheer managed to dismiss Shaw, who was caught at square leg by Irfan Umair.
Maharashtra skipper sheds light on the Prithvi Shaw and Musheer Khan’s on-field altercation
According to multiple eyewitnesses and video footage shared online, tensions between Shaw and Musheer had been simmering for most of the innings. Maharashtra captain Ankit Bawne, speaking after the day’s play, revealed that light sledging from the Mumbai fielders had been ongoing, but it was a sarcastic send-off that ignited the situation.
As Shaw began walking back after his dismissal, Musheer allegedly muttered “Thank you” in a pointed tone. While the words themselves might appear harmless, their delivery was reportedly laced with sarcasm, signalling frustration from the young spinner who had been on the receiving end of Shaw’s dominant display. Shaw halted in his stride, turned back towards Musheer, and walked up in visible anger. Video clips appeared to show Shaw raising his bat before grabbing Musheer by the collar, prompting an umpire and nearby players to quickly intervene.
Bawne disclosed that the exchange stemmed from competitive intensity rather than deep personal animosity. “It’s a practice match. They’ve played together before and these things happen in the heat of the moment. It’s all fine now, there’s no lingering issue,” he said.
Also WATCH: Prithvi Shaw loses his cool, tries to hit Musheer Khan with a bat in Maharashtra vs Mumbai warm-up clash
No disciplinary action yet from associations
So far, neither the Mumbai Cricket Association nor the Maharashtra Cricket Association has issued an official statement on the incident. Sources suggest that because this was an internal warm-up fixture rather than a formal domestic competition match, disciplinary proceedings are unlikely unless further complaints are lodged.
Insiders have also confirmed that Shaw’s fiery reaction was partly due to the accumulated sledging from earlier in the day. His innings had thoroughly dismantled the Mumbai bowling attack, and the “thank you” remark struck a nerve at the wrong time. Cricket analysts note that such flashpoints are not uncommon when seasoned stars face ambitious young players eager to make their own mark.
While the altercation lasted barely a few moments, it overshadowed what was otherwise a remarkable day of batting. Both Shaw and Musheer have a history with Mumbai cricket, and Tuesday’s clash was a rare case of former teammates crossing swords in competitive spirit.
