Prithvi Shaw Admits to Career Setbacks: Faulty Choices and Lost Focus Derailed Cricket Trajectory

Prithvi Shaw Opens Up About Career Setbacks: 'I Lost Focus on Cricket'

NEW DELHI: Once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has candidly addressed the challenges that have stalled his once-promising trajectory.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman revealed how poor decisions, distractions, and shifting 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 confessed to 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 burst onto the scene in 2018 with a memorable Test debut, scoring a century against the West Indies. His talent drew comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, disciplinary issues and fitness concerns led to his eventual downfall. From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness issues to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the decline was both rapid and highly visible.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to revitalize his career. Shaw has officially severed ties with the Mumbai Cricket Association, opting for a fresh start with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but stated that he believes a change of scenery is essential for his development. While he experienced brief periods of resurgence, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent high-level performances have remained elusive.

With a new state team, a refocused mindset, and a willingness to acknowledge his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is committed to turning a new leaf. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual decline from elite cricket remains to be seen.