BCCI suspends Prithvi Shaw for failing dope test

New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday suspended Indian opener Prithvi Shaw for eight months from all forms of cricket for failing a dope test.

Along with Shaw, two other domestic players, Akshay Dullarwar of Vidarbha and Divya Gajraj from Rajasthan, have also been suspended for use of banned athletic performance-enhancing drugs.

''Prithvi Shaw registered with Mumbai Cricket Association, has been suspended for doping violation. Shaw had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups,'' BCCI said in a statement.

''Shaw had provided a urine sample as part of the BCCI's anti-doping testing program during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on February 22, 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 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List of Substances.

''On July 16, 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 suspended pending determination of the charge. Mr Shaw responded to the charge by admitting the ADRV but asserting 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 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 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 disqualification of certain results,'' the statement read.

Shaw's period of suspension will start from March 16 to November 15, effectively ruling him out of India's home series against Bangladesh and South Africa.

Therefore, Shaw may return to train with his State team and/or to use the facilities of any club or other member organisation of the BCCI after September 15.(UNI)