Prithvi Shaw Admits to Career Derailment: "I Lost Focus, Made Wrong Friends"

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a future star of Indian cricket, has candidly discussed the challenges that have stalled his promising career.

Prithvi Shaw (Agency Photo)

In a recent interview, the 25-year-old batsman admitted that poor 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," Shaw told News24. "I used to practice a lot... I admit that there was a distraction."

Shaw elaborated on the nature of these distractions, saying, "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... 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 legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, disciplinary issues and fitness concerns led to his eventual fall from grace. He went from being dropped by Mumbai due to fitness issues to going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction.

Now, Shaw is determined to make a fresh start. He has officially left the Mumbai Cricket Association and will be joining Maharashtra as a professional player. In a letter to the MCA, Shaw expressed his gratitude for their support, but stated that he believes a change is essential for his development.

While he has had brief periods of good form, including a stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has struggled to maintain consistency.

With a new state team, a revised approach, and an honest acknowledgment of his past errors, Prithvi Shaw is looking to rebuild his career. Whether this marks the beginning of a successful comeback remains to be seen, but he is committed to working hard to regain his place in top-tier cricket.