Prithvi Shaw Admits to Losing Focus, Wrong Choices in Career Setback

Once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has offered a candid assessment of the challenges that have stalled his once-promising trajectory.

Prithvi Shaw reflects on his career.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman openly discussed how questionable decisions, distractions, and a change in priorities contributed to his decline, both professionally and personally.

"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 further 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 scene in 2018 with a remarkable Test debut, scoring a century against the West Indies. His talent drew comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a lack of discipline and fitness led to his eventual downfall. From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the decline was both rapid and highly visible.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to start afresh. Shaw has officially severed ties with the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a new beginning with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his appreciation for their support but emphasized that a change of scenery is crucial for his development. While he has had brief moments of resurgence, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performance has eluded him.

With a new state team, a refreshed outlook, and honesty about his past mistakes, Prithvi Shaw aims to turn over a new leaf. Whether this marks the start of a successful comeback or a gradual departure from elite cricket remains to be seen; but currently, he is committed to taking the challenging path back to the top.