Kolkata : Prithvi Shaw – few years ago, the name was big after leading India to U19 WC 2018 victory, scoring century in his debut. But the light gradually faded away and he’s never seen again in spotlight. As the saying goes, success destroys people more than failure does, such happened to Shaw.
Recently, Shaw was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The young lad who scored 134 against West Indies in his debut, was even unsold in IPL 2025 auctions and not even called for replacement throughout the tournament, despite so many players being called upon due to multiple injuries throughout the tournament.
It is sad to think that once Ravi Shastri even compared his playing style to greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
Shaw in an interview with News 24 admitted that he got distracted and started giving lesser time to Cricket.
“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 also went on to say that during his peak time, he made several wrong friends, reduced his practice hours, and eventually led to his downfall.
“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,” he added.
Shaw also stated his family problems including his Grandfather’s demise as another reason for his distraction from Cricket.
“There are a lot of things. It’s not just that. I had a family problem. My grandfather had passed away. He was very dear to me. There are a lot of things that I can’t tell you. But I can feel it.”
“I admit my mistakes. But my dad has always supported me. No matter how bad my time was. He has seen good and bad,” he added.
Despite sharing dressing rooms with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and others, Shaw said no Senior players reached out to him during his tough phase although he’s still in touch with Rishabh Pant, his former Delhi Capitals teammate. He also said that Pant and Sachin Tendulkar know his struggle.
Shaw revealed that no ‘big cricketer’ called him during his period of struggle. “Except Rishabh Pant. And also Sachin Tendulkar, He knows by struggle. He has has seen me grow up with Arjun Tendulkar. I have gone to his house also” , Shaw added.
The youngster believes that currently he’s in right track. He has acquired NOC from Mumbai Cricket Association to play for another state, and also shown sparks of his old self in recently concluded Mumbai T20 League 2025, and revealed that he has gone to hardworking and basics he used to do 5 years ago.
“I am on track now. I have gone back to basics now. The hard work I used to do 5 years ago, I think I have started that routine again. I believe in myself. I don’t know how many people believe in me or not. But I believe in myself. I know how to get there. That’s why I am doing all this,” said Shaw.
“But one thing that dad has said. Only Prithvi Shaw can bring himself back there. No one else can. So I have left everything,” he added.
