Prithvi Shaw: Rising, Falling, and the Road to Reinvention
Who Is Prithvi Shaw? Early Brilliance and the Weight of Expectations
Prithvi Pankaj Shaw burst onto the Indian cricketing scene as a teenager, quickly earning comparisons to some of cricket’s greats. Born on November 9, 1999, he made waves when he scored a debut Test century against the West Indies in October 2018 — at just 18 years of age — becoming one of the youngest Indian batsmen to reach the three‑figure mark in his first match. His fearless strokeplay, aggressive mindset, and sheer confidence made fans and pundits alike believe he was India’s next batting prodigy.
Yet, that early brilliance has been shadowed in recent years by struggles both on and off the field. Injuries, fitness concerns, form slumps, and questions of attitude have all played their part in him slipping out of favor in domestic and international setups. The story of Prithvi Shaw today is one of ambition, reflection, and the attempt to reclaim credibility.
Career Highlights, Trials, and the Current Chapter
Here is a snapshot of Shaw’s journey — the peaks, the hurdles, and where he stands now.
Prithvi Shaw’s Key Career Milestones
| Year / Period | Event / Achievement | Impact / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Test debut, century vs West Indies | Instant stardom, high expectations |
| 2023 | Signed for Northamptonshire in England | Showed adaptability in foreign conditions |
| August 2023 | Knee injury while playing in England | Underwent treatment, missed significant domestic cricket |
| Early 2024 | Return to Mumbai squad in Ranji Trophy | Regained fitness and rejoined domestic circuit |
| 2025 (mid‑year) | Request to leave Mumbai, join Maharashtra | Fresh start, change of state allegiance |
| 2025 (Buchi Babu Tournament) | Century on debut for Maharashtra | A statement of intent to rebuild |
| October 2025 | Century vs old team (Mumbai) in warm-up match | Bold message to selectors and critics alike |
| October 2025 | On‑field altercation after dismissal | A sign of mounting frustration and tension |
Current Update
As of October 2025, here’s where things stand for Prithvi Shaw:
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Shaw recently played a warm-up three-day match for Maharashtra against his former team Mumbai. In that game, he scored a commanding century, sending a strong reminder to selectors that he still has serious intent.
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However, his temperament was also under scrutiny — following his dismissal, he got into a heated exchange with a former Mumbai teammate and attempted to swing his bat in anger. Such episodes feed into concerns around composure and maturity.
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The move from Mumbai to Maharashtra is more than symbolic. It represents a reset. There had been friction in the Mumbai setup, plus concerns around his fitness and discipline.
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In his early outings for Maharashtra, he’s already shown positive signs. In the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, he scored a fluent century, indicating that he is trying to return to form by revisiting fundamentals.
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Off the field, Shaw has admitted to past distractions and wrong associations, suggesting introspection is part of his current journey. “I made some wrong friends,” he was quoted as saying in mid‑2025.
In many ways, 2025 is shaping up as a pivot year — where he can either bounce back or fade further from contention.
What Went Wrong — And How He’s Trying to Fix It
Challenges Shaw Has Faced
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Injury setbacks
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The knee injury in England derailed his momentum. It kept him off the field for many domestic seasons.
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Fitness concerns
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Reports over multiple seasons have flagged his conditioning, fielding ability, and agility as issues.
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Form inconsistency
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While flashes of brilliance have persisted, long spells of low scores have eroded selectors’ confidence.
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Disciplinary and attitude questions
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Critics and officials have commented on his focus, behavior, and commitment. At times, statements about being “his own enemy” or needing to change his work ethic have emerged.
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Selection neglect
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He has been dropped from squads, gone unsold in IPL auctions, and essentially lost his place in India’s plans.
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What He’s Doing Now
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Going back to basics: He has publicly said he is reworking things he used in his Under-19 days — more practice, fitness routines, discipline.
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Reducing distractions: Shaw has distanced himself from social media, opting for focus over noise.
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Stepping away from past associations: He admitted past “wrong friends” had diverted him.
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New environment: The shift to Maharashtra is also a psychological move—new team, new expectations, a chance to reset.
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Performing under pressure: His recent centuries (both in Buchi Babu and in that warm-up match vs Mumbai) show he still has the talent and hunger.
The Way Forward: Can He Return to the Top?
Prithvi Shaw’s story is still being written. He is young — in his mid‑20s — so time is not yet lost. But talent alone won’t suffice. What he must demonstrate now is consistency, resilience, discipline, and emotional maturity.
If he can string together a few seasons of strong domestic performances, handle pressure situations with composure, and show improvement in fitness and fielding, there is no reason he can’t force his way back into the national reckoning.
Selectors and fans will be watching closely. The century vs Mumbai was a loud statement — but it must become the rule, not the exception.
