Prithvi Shaw handed suspension for doping violation, ineligible for selection till November 15, 2019

The Indian opener Prithvi Shaw has been suspended for doping violation and has been ineligible till November 15, 2019. On February 22 2019, Prithvi Shaw had provided a urine-sample which is a part of the Board of Control for Cricket anti-doping test program. He is said to have inadvertently taken a banned substance found in cough syrups and will miss out on first half of Indian cricket season.

In a statement it was said, "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. Mr. Shaw 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. On 16th July 2019, Mr. Shaw was charged with the commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under the BCCI Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) Article 2.1 and provisionally."

Prithvi Shaw had told the BCCI that it was inadvertent, being caused by his ingestion of the over the counter cough syrup he had taken for his cough.

“The BCCI is satisfied with Mr. Shaw’s explanation that he had taken Terbutaline inadvertently to treat a Respiratory Tract Infection and not as a performance-enhancing drug. Having considered all of the evidence and taken expert external advice, the BCCI has accepted Mr. Shaw’s explanation of the cause of his ADRV, and on that basis has agreed that a period of ineligibility of eight months should apply, together with the disqualification of certain results,” the statement added.

The eight-month suspension will date back to the date of collecting the sample and hence will end by November.

The other two cricketers suspended are Divya Gajraj (Rajasthan, ingested a prohibited substance for the treatment of an eye injury) and Akshay Dullarwar (Vidarbha, ingested a prohibited substance for the treatment of an infection) have both been suspended for six and eight months respectively. The duos suspensions will be lifted on 25 September and 9 November.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Prithvi Shaw has been suspended for doping violation.
• Shaw has played two Tests for India. 
• Shaw is ineligible for selection till November 15, 2019.