NEW DELHI: Once touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has made a frank and emotional admission about the struggles that have derailed his once-promising career. In a recent interview, the 25-year-old revealed how poor choices, distractions, and a shift in priorities led to his decline, 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 told News24.“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, who made a dream Test debut in 2018 with a century against the West Indies, quickly rose to fame, even drawing comparisons with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. But over time, lapses in discipline and fitness saw him fall out of favour. From being dropped by Mumbai for poor fitness to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the downturn was steep and public.
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Now, the right-handed opener is looking to reset. Shaw has officially parted ways with the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a fresh start with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but said he believes a move is necessary for his growth.While he made brief comebacks, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performances remained elusive.
With a new state team, a renewed mindset, and honesty about his past missteps, Prithvi Shaw is aiming to turn the page. Whether this marks the beginning of a redemption arc or a slow fade from top-tier cricket remains to be seen; but for now, he’s choosing the hard road back.
