Prithvi Shaw Admits to Losing Focus on Cricket Amidst Career Setbacks OR Prithvi Shaw Opens Up About "Wrong Decisions" and Career Detour OR Prithvi Shaw Reflects on Lost Focus and "Wrong Friends" After Cricket Stardom

Once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has candidly addressed the challenges that have stalled his once-promising trajectory.

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman openly discussed how questionable 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's career began with a sensational Test debut in 2018, where he scored a century against the West Indies. This feat quickly catapulted him to stardom, leading to comparisons with legendary cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, over time, issues related to discipline and fitness led to his downfall. From being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness concerns to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, his decline was both rapid and highly visible.

Now, the right-handed opener is focused on rebuilding his career.

Shaw has officially ended his association with the Mumbai Cricket Association, opting for a fresh start with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his communication with the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support, while emphasizing the need for this change to facilitate his growth. Although he made brief returns to the field, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he struggled to maintain consistent performances.

With a new state team, a rejuvenated mindset, and a transparent acknowledgment of his past mistakes, Prithvi Shaw is determined to start anew. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual exit from elite cricket remains uncertain. For now, he is committed to taking the challenging path to recovery.