BCCI suspends Prithvi Shaw till November 15 after doping violation, statement here

Cricketer Prithvi Shaw who captained India colts to victory in Under-19 World Cup in 2018 has been suspended by BCCI for a doping violation after invertently having ingested a prohibited substance Terbutaline commonly found in cough drops. While BCCI has accepted Shaw's explanation as to why substance was found in his system, it has decreed that he shall remain ineligible for 8 months along with disqualification of certain results. On accounting for technicalities, Shaw will be out of action till midnight on 15th vember 2019.

Prithvi Shaw's anti-doping violation

Shaw's doping test h taken place on February 22 in Indore and his sample tested positive for Terbutaline which is on WA's list of prohibited substances. He was charged under BCCI's anti-doping rules on July 16, 2019, and responded by mitting violation but asserted that it was invertent as it has resulted from him taking an over--counter medication for his cough. His eight-month period of ineligibility was deemed to have begun n March 16, 2019, and will run till vember 15.

Will Prithvi Shaw be eligible to train?

Prithvi Shaw may return to train with a team or use facilities of a BCCI member organisation after September 15.

1990-born resident of Thane has represented India in two test matches, having me his debut in October 2018 against West Indies. He also plays for Delhi Capitals in IPL. Shaw, a right-handed batsman, h shot to fame when he led India to ir fourth U-19 World Cup win where y defeated Australia in final by 8 wickets.

Here is relevant section of press release by BCCI on anti-doping violations that have taken place in ongoing season:

Mr. Prithvi Shaw registered with Mumbai Cricket Association, has been suspended for doping violation. Mr. Shaw h invertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups.

Mr. Shaw h provided a urine sample as part of BCCI’s anti-doping testing program during 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 WA Prohibited List of Substances.

On 16th July 2019, Mr. Shaw was charged with commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (RV) under BCCI Anti-Doping Rules (R) Article 2.1 and provisionally suspended pending determination of charge. Mr. Shaw responded to charge by mitting RV but asserting that it was invertent, being caused by his ingestion of over counter cough syrup he h taken for his cough.

BCCI is satisfied with Mr. Shaw’s explanation that he h taken Terbutaline invertently to treat an Respiratory Tract Infection and t as a performance-enhancing drug. Having considered all of evidence and taken expert external vice, BCCI has accepted Mr. Shaw’s explanation of cause of his RV, and on that basis has agreed that a period of ineligibility of eight months should apply, toger with disqualification of certain results. 

Under BCCI R Article 10.10.3, Mr. Shaw is entitled to full credit against that period of ineligibility for provisional suspension that he has been serving since 16th July 2019. In dition, because Mr. Shaw promptly mitted his RV upon being confronted with it by BCCI, re is discretion under BCCI R Article 10.10.2 to back-date start of period of Ineligibility to date of sample collection (22nd February 2019). However, BCCI R Article 10.10.2 also requires Mr. Shaw to actually serve one half of period of ineligibility. refore, furr to BCCI R Article 10.10.2, eight-month period of Ineligibility will be deemed to have started to run on 16th March 2019, so that it will end at midnight on 15th vember 2019.

Under BCCI R Article 10.11.2 a Cricketer may return to train with a team or to use facilities of a club or or member organisation of a Signatory’s member organisation during shorter of: 
(i) last two months of Cricketer’s period of Ineligibility; or 
(ii) last one-quarter of period of Ineligibility imposed. 
 
refore, Mr. Shaw may return to train with his State team and/or to use facilities of any club or or member organisation of BCCI after midnight on 15th September 2019.  complete decision and reasoning of Mr. Prithvi Shaw’s case is available here. 

BCCI has a zero-tolerance approach towards doping in Cricket. All Cricketers are personally responsible for ensuring that anything y eat, drink or put in ir body does t give rise to an RV under BCCI Anti-Doping Code. BCCI provides a dedicated 24X7 Anti-Doping Helpline where Cricketers and Cricket support personnel can contact for any drug queries.