Prithvi Shaw Admits to Losing Focus, Blaming Bad Company for Career Dip

Once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw has openly discussed the challenges that have hampered his once-promising career.

Prithvi Shaw pictured during an interview.

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old revealed how misguided decisions, distractions, and shifting 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 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 spectacularly in 2018 with a century against the West Indies on his Test debut, leading to comparisons with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, a lack of discipline and fitness eventually led to his exclusion from the team. He faced setbacks such as being dropped by Mumbai due to poor fitness and going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, marking a significant downturn in his career.

Now, the right-handed opener is determined to make a fresh start. Shaw has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and is seeking new opportunities with Maharashtra as a professional player. In his letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed gratitude for their support but emphasized that the move was necessary for his personal growth.

Despite brief comebacks, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he struggled to maintain consistent performance.

With a new state team, a rejuvenated mindset, and honesty about his previous errors, Prithvi Shaw aims to turn over a new leaf. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback or a gradual departure from elite cricket remains to be seen.