Prithvi Shaw Acknowledges Missteps, Blames "Wrong Friends" and Loss of Focus for Career Dip

Once heralded as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly discussed the challenges that have hampered his once-promising career.

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old cricketer acknowledged that misguided 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 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 international scene in 2018 with a remarkable Test debut, scoring a century against the West Indies. His talent drew comparisons to legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, disciplinary issues and fitness concerns led to his eventual exclusion from the national team.

From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness issues to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the fall from grace was rapid and highly publicized.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to turn things around. Shaw has officially severed ties with the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a fresh start with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but stated that he believes a change is necessary for his development.

While he has had brief moments of resurgence, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performances have remained elusive.

With a new state team, a revitalized mindset, and a candid acknowledgment of his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is focused on rebuilding his career. Whether this signifies the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual decline from elite cricket remains to be seen. For now, he is committed to taking the challenging path back to the top.