Prithvi Shaw Admits to Career Stumbles: 'Wrong Friends, Loss of Focus Derailed My Cricket'

Prithvi Shaw Reflects on Career Setbacks, Cites Wrong Choices and Distractions

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

Once heralded as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly addressed the challenges that have hampered his once-promising career trajectory. In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman revealed a combination of poor decisions, 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 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 enjoyed a sensational Test debut in 2018 with a century against the West Indies, rapidly gained recognition, drawing comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a decline in discipline and fitness led to his eventual ouster from the national team.

From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the downfall 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 conveyed his gratitude for their support, but emphasized the necessity of the move for his personal and professional development.

While he had brief reappearances, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent high-level performances proved elusive.

With a new state team, a reinvigorated mindset, and a candid acknowledgment of his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is focused on beginning a new chapter. Whether this signifies the start of a comeback or a continued decline from elite-level cricket remains to be seen, but he is currently committed to taking the challenging path back to the top.