Prithvi Shaw Acknowledges Career Setbacks: Admits to Poor Choices and "Wrong Friends"

Prithvi Shaw Reflects on Career Detour: "Wrong Friends" and Lost Focus

NEW DELHI: Once hailed as the next sensation in Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has candidly admitted to the struggles that derailed his once-promising career.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman revealed how poor choices, distractions, and shifting priorities led to a decline in his performance, 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," Shaw confessed to News24. "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."

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 made a memorable Test debut in 2018, scoring a century against the West Indies. This feat led to comparisons with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a lack of discipline and fitness eventually led to him falling out of favor with selectors and team management.

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

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to start afresh. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and is seeking a new beginning with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, he expressed his gratitude for their support but emphasized the need for this change to facilitate his growth.

Although he made brief comebacks, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw struggled to maintain consistent performance.

With a new state team, a renewed mindset, and a willingness to acknowledge his past mistakes, Prithvi Shaw is determined to turn the page. Whether this signifies a genuine comeback or a gradual exit from top-level cricket remains uncertain. For now, he has chosen the challenging path back to prominence.