Mumbai Coach Raises Doubts Over Prithvi Shaw's Positive Doping Test

India’s prodigy batsman Prithvi Shaw was banned for eight months after he had a positive doping test. It was reported that Shaw inadvertently used a cough syrup during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he was having cough issues. The syrup contained a substance, Terbulatine which comes in the banned list of the NADA.

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However, Shaw doping case has now taken an interesting turn. Mumbai coach Vinayak Samant and physiotherapist Deep Tomar have stated that the young batsman did not complain of any cough issues during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in February.

This raises some questions.

Consequently, it raises questions on the Board of Control for Cricket in India for not handling the case properly.

The Indian board report stated, “Having traveled to Indore (for Mushtaq Ali matches), Shaw began (suffering from) common cough and cold.”

On the other hand, Vinayak Samant and Deep Tomar have revealed a different story altogether.

Speaking to TOI on Friday, both Samant and Tomar said: “He had a slight fever. But there were no symptoms of cough or cold. Neither did he approach us with any complaints, nor did he ask for a remedy. We were available at all times.” Team manager Ganesh Iyer, who was also traveling with the team, said Shaw “did not approach” him either. “I noticed he had some cold. But he did not come and tell me anything.”

Meanwhile, according to the report which was prepared by the anti-doping team of the BCCI, Shaw went to the chemist after consulting his father.

Shaw took advice from his father.

“He consulted his father, who suggested he visit a pharmacy to obtain a remedy for his symptoms. Shaw visited a local pharmacy close to the hotel in Indore, where a pharmacist recommended to him an over-the-counter syrup that he said would provide immediate relief.”

However, there is another twist in the tale as those who know Shaw from the close quarters state that he is hardly in contact with his father. Furthermore, he had a doctor in the hotel but he didn’t take his advice.

“Basically Shaw is admitting he knew most cough syrups contain terbutaline. He knew it but still took it. What is happening here?

Tomar, the team physio, said, “Prithvi came to me once saying he’s not feeling well and I asked him to rest. But at no point did he say he has cough or cold”. A source said, “It is time Ghosh addresses the media on this issue.”

Prithvi Shaw’s case has come up with interesting revelations. The young batsman was handed over a backdated ban and he can return to action on 15 November.