Prithvi Shaw Acknowledges Career Setbacks, Vows Redemption After "Wrong Friends" and Loss of Focus

Once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly discussed the challenges that have stalled his promising career.

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old admitted that poor decisions, distractions, and a change in priorities contributed 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.

He continued, "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."

From Prodigy to Peril

Shaw burst onto the scene in 2018 with a century on his Test debut against the West Indies, drawing comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a lack of discipline and fitness led to him falling out of favor. From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness issues to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the decline was rapid and very public.

Seeking a Fresh Start

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to rebuild his career. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a new beginning with Maharashtra as a professional player.

In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his gratitude for their support but stated that he believes a change is necessary for his development. While he had brief returns, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performance proved elusive.

The Road Ahead

With a new state team, a renewed mindset, and acknowledging his past mistakes, Prithvi Shaw aims to start a new chapter. Whether this marks a genuine comeback or a continued struggle remains to be seen, but for now, he is committed to taking the difficult path back to the top.