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

Prithvi Shaw Reflects on Career Detour: "I Made Some Wrong Friends, Lost Focus on Cricket"

NEW DELHI: Once heralded as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has offered a candid and introspective account of the challenges that have stunted his once-promising career.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman openly discussed how poor choices, distractions, and a shift 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 confessed to News24.

He 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 burst onto the international scene in 2018, scoring a century on his Test debut against the West Indies. His talent drew comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a lack of discipline and fitness issues led to his eventual downfall.

From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Shaw's decline has been both rapid and highly public.

The right-handed opener is now determined to make a fresh start. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and will represent Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but indicated that a change of scenery was crucial for his development.

While Shaw has had brief periods of resurgence, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has struggled to maintain consistency.

With a new team, a revised mindset, and a willingness to acknowledge his past errors, Prithvi Shaw hopes to begin a new chapter in his career. Whether this marks a successful comeback or a gradual exit from elite cricket remains uncertain.