India Opener Prithvi Shaw Suspended For Doping Violations

In a shocking turn of events, India’s young batting sensation Prithvi Shaw has been suspended until November 15, 2019 for a doping violation. The right-handed batsman, who made his Test debut last year, could not make it to the tour of West Indies due to an injury. At the time of squad announcement, chief selector MSK Prasad had confirmed that the opener was injured.

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The BCCI, on Tuesday (July 30), released the list of players who violated the doping regulations and Prithvi Shaw was one of them. The board stated that Shaw had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance which can be commonly found in cough syrups. The Mumbai star had provided a urine sample as part of the BCCI’s anti-doping testing program during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on 22nd February 2019 in Indore.

His sample was subsequently tested and found to contain Terbutaline. Terbutaline, a specified substance, is prohibited both In & Out of Competition in the WADA Prohibited List of Substances.

Shaw was later charged and provisionally suspended pending determination of the charge. The youngster responded to the charge by admitting that he violated the rules but asserted that it was inadvertent. The BCCI is satisfied with Shaw’s explanation that he had taken Terbutaline inadvertently to treat a Respiratory Tract Infection and not as a performance-enhancing drug.

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“Mr. Prithvi Shaw registered with Mumbai Cricket Association, has been suspended for doping violation. Mr. Shaw had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups,” read the statement from the BCCI.

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According to rules, Shaw can return to train with the team or use BCCI facilities only after midnight on 15th September 2019. The ban means Shaw will also miss the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh. India’s next Test series will be in New Zealand in February 2020. Shaw has not played since his debut Test series against West Indies last year.