Prithvi Shaw Admits to Missteps, Lost Focus Amid Career Setbacks

Prithvi Shaw, once heralded as a future star of Indian cricket, has candidly addressed the factors that contributed to the stagnation of his promising career.

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old openly discussed how poor choices, distractions, and a change in priorities led to a decline in his performance, both on and off the field.

"There are a lot of things. It is different for people to see. Because I know what has happened. I can understand it. I have taken a lot of wrong decisions in life. I started giving less time to cricket. I used to practice a lot. For example, I used to bat for 3-4 hours in nets. I never got tired of batting. I used to go to the ground for half a day. I admit that there was a distraction," Shaw confessed to News24.

He further elaborated, "After that, I started considering what was not necessary as necessary. I made some wrong friends. Because I was at the top at that time. Friendship is also formed. Then they took me here and there. All those things. Then I got away from the track. I used to give 8 hours of practice on the ground. Now it is 4 hours."

Shaw's career began with a sensational Test debut in 2018, where he scored a century against the West Indies. This feat led to comparisons with legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, over time, issues with discipline and fitness resulted in him losing his place in the team.

From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the decline was both rapid and highly visible.

Now, the right-handed batsman is determined to start afresh. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a new beginning with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, he expressed gratitude for their support but emphasized that this move is crucial for his future development. While he made brief returns, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performances continued to elude him.

With a new state team, a revised approach, and a commitment to learning from his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is focused on rebuilding his career. Whether this marks the start of a successful comeback or a gradual departure from elite-level cricket remains to be seen. For now, he is committed to taking the challenging path back to the top.