Prithvi Shaw Admits to Career Setbacks: "I Lost Focus" Due to Poor Choices, Wrong Friends

Prithvi Shaw, once heralded as a future star of Indian cricket, has openly discussed the challenges that have stalled his promising career. In a candid interview, the 25-year-old batsman admitted that a combination of poor decisions, distractions, and misplaced priorities contributed to his decline both on and off the field.

Prithvi Shaw reflects on his career.

"There are a lot of things," Shaw told News24, explaining the reasons behind his career slump. "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."

He elaborated, "After that, I started considering what was not necessary as necessary. I made some wrong friends...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's career began brightly with a century on his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018, leading to comparisons with legendary Indian batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, issues with discipline and fitness gradually led to his exclusion from the national team. His struggles culminated in being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns and going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction.

Now, Shaw is determined to revive his career. He has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and will be seeking new opportunities with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but emphasized that he believes a move is essential for his personal and professional development. Despite occasional promising performances, such as his stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he struggled to maintain consistency.

With a new team, a refreshed perspective, and a willingness to acknowledge his previous errors, Prithvi Shaw is focused on turning over a new leaf. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual exit from elite cricket remains to be seen.