Prithvi Shaw Admits to Losing Focus, Wrong Friends Led to Cricket Career Setback

Prithvi Shaw Reflects on Career Detour: "I Lost Focus on Cricket"

NEW DELHI: Once hailed as the next sensation in Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly discussed the challenges that have hampered his once-promising career.

Prithvi Shaw reflects on his past mistakes and looks forward to a fresh start.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old cricketer admitted that poor decisions, distractions, and a shift in priorities led 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 told News24.

"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, who made a memorable Test debut in 2018 with a century against the West Indies, rapidly gained recognition, even prompting comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, over time, lapses in discipline and fitness resulted in him falling out of favor. From being dropped by Mumbai due to poor fitness to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the decline was both steep and public.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to reset his career. Shaw has officially ended his association with the Mumbai Cricket Association, seeking a fresh start with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his gratitude for their support but stated that he believes a move is necessary for his growth.

While he made brief comebacks, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistent performances remained elusive.

With a new state team, a renewed mindset, and honesty about his past missteps, Prithvi Shaw is aiming to turn the page. Whether this marks the beginning of a redemption story or a slow fade from top-tier cricket remains to be seen; but for now, he’s choosing the hard road back.