Prithvi Shaw Acknowledges Career Slump: Admits to Losing Focus and Making "Wrong Friends"

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a future star in Indian cricket, has candidly discussed the challenges that have hindered his career progression. The 25-year-old batsman acknowledged making poor decisions and losing his way due to distractions.

In a recent interview, Shaw revealed that his dedication to cricket waned as he prioritized unnecessary things and fell in with the wrong crowd. "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," he confessed to News24.

He elaborated on his earlier commitment to the sport, stating, "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 further explained how his focus shifted: "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 Indian batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, disciplinary issues and a decline in fitness levels led to his exclusion from the national team. This downturn included being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns and going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction.

Now, Shaw is determined to revitalize his career. He has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and will be joining Maharashtra as a professional player, seeking a fresh start. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his gratitude for their support but emphasized the need for a change to facilitate his growth.

While Shaw has had brief returns to the field, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has struggled to maintain consistent performance.

With a new team, a renewed mindset, and a willingness to acknowledge his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is aiming to turn over a new leaf. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual decline remains uncertain. For now, he is committed to taking the difficult path back to the top.