Prithvi Shawonce heralded as the future of Indian cricket, finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Touted as a child prodigy, Shaw’s early exploits, including leading India to victory in the U19 World Cup and a brilliant test debut, showed his immense potential. However, his decline was swift and surprised many if his career can be saved. While his talent remains undeniable, fitness issues, off-field controversies and inconsistent performances have significantly dented his reputation.
Prithvi Shaw’s domestic troubles and IPL 2025 auction
Shaw’s domestic season in 2024 failed to inspire confidence as he managed just 59 runs in four contests. Ranji Trophy 2024-25 matches. His Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy performance was equally disappointing, 197 runs at an average of 21.88 in nine matches, failing to register a half-century. His contributions were largely forgettable, though his 26-ball 49 in the quarter-final helped Mumbai win the title.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 The auction further highlighted his decline in Indian cricket as no franchise showed interest in acquiring him. For a player who was once seen as a future Indian captain, this fall is a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sport and the cost of neglecting discipline and consistency.
A candid statement by Shreyas Iyer
The Mumbai captain Shreyas IyerShaw’s teammate and the second most expensive player in the IPL 2025 auction assessed Shaw’s predicament with a mixture of admiration and criticism. Iyer described as Shaw “Given by God” emphasizes that his talent is unmatched, but without the right attitude and effort, talent is worthless in the long run. According to Iyer, Shaw’s work ethic remains a major issue, and despite repeated advice from peers and coaches, he has struggled to adopt a professional mindset.
“Personally, I think he is a God-given player. The amount of talent he has as an individual is unmatched by anyone else. This is true. He just needs to improve his work ethic.Iyer was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Iyer emphasized that Shaw’s problems were not new and that the deceased had been able to overcome difficulties in the past. However, he is adamant that Shaw is responsible for his own career, as no outside guidance can replace self-motivation and discipline.
“I have said this before in many interviews. Must establish work ethics correctly. And if he does, you know, the sky’s the limit for him. Can you force it? I can’t force him. He played a lot of cricket. And everyone informed him. At the end of the day, his job is to go out there and figure things out for himself.” added the 30-year-old.
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Iyer’s tough reality check
Iyer’s comments about Shaw struck a chord with cricket circles as he made it clear that professionals at the highest level should take ownership of their careers. “We can’t look at anyone” Iyer noted that Shaw must independently determine the solution to his struggles. Iyer acknowledged Shaw’s past achievements but stressed that sustained effort is the key to ensuring success in modern cricket. He noted that Shaw has received plenty of advice and guidance from teammates and coaches, but in the end, he has to solve his own problems and step up.
“We can’t babysit anyone, can we? Every professional playing at this level should know what to do. And it has done so in the past. Not that he doesn’t. He must concentrate. He needs to sit back and put on his thinking cap and then figure himself out. He will get his answer. No one can force him to do anything.” Iyer concluded.
Can the show revive his career?
The show is now at a critical point where its career could take a turn for the better or take a turn for the worse. Despite his struggles, Shaw still has his age and comeback potential. To achieve this, he must undergo a complete transformation, focusing on fitness, improving his technique and building mental toughness.
Shaw must master the discipline required to compete at the highest level, taking inspiration from players who have successfully revived their careers after setbacks. His next steps will determine whether he emerges as a redemption story or remains a cautionary tale in Indian cricket.
