Prithvi Shaw Admits to Career Slump: "Wrong Friends, Lost Focus on Cricket"

Once hailed as a future star of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly discussed the challenges that have stalled his promising career. In a recent interview, the 25-year-old admitted that poor decisions, distractions, and a change in priorities contributed to his decline, both on and off the field.

Prithvi Shaw acknowledges mistakes and aims for a fresh start.

"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 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, scoring a century on his Test debut against the West Indies. His talent led to comparisons with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, issues with discipline and fitness resulted in him losing his place in the team. From being dropped by Mumbai due to poor fitness to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, his downfall was significant and highly publicized.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to revitalize his career. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and is seeking a fresh opportunity with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his appreciation for their support but stated that he believes a move is essential for his growth. While he made brief comebacks, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he struggled to maintain consistent performance.

With a new state team, a renewed mindset, and honesty about his past mistakes, Prithvi Shaw is focused on turning the page. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a continued decline remains to be seen. For now, he is committed to taking the challenging path back to the top.