Prithvi Shaw’s career trajectory has been nothing short of a roller coaster. Six years ago, he burst onto the scene with a memorable Test debut century, earning comparisons to India’s cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar. But now, at just 25, Shaw finds himself at a career crossroads, struggling to regain his former glory.

A Meteoric Start, Followed By Setbacks

Shaw was unmistakable as a future bright star for India. Debuting in Test cricket scoring a century, everyone around him was talking about him and his immense talent. Nicknamed the “next Tendulkar,” Shaw was destined for glory. But the fast rise to success soon gave way to a series of missteps that have overshadowed the career.

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Prithvi Shaw Goes UNSOLD In IPL 2025 Auction

In a harsh reflection of the present state, Shaw has found himself out of the Indian Premier League for the very first time in eight years. Having been released by Delhi Capitals before the beginning of the IPL retentions, Shaw went unnoticed by any of the 10 franchises in the 2025 IPL mega-auction although he was available to each one of them. For a young cricketer, this is a severe fall from grace.

What Went Wrong For Shaw?

Despite being at a good point in his life and his career, somehow or other, Shaw went way off track. He has merely turned 25 and already suffered inconsistency and, again and again, breaches in discipline. Once on course for being a top dog of Indian cricket in days to come, a series of mishaps coupled with constant inability to hold an undisputed place in India either has kept him constantly worried.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Advice For Shaw

Shaw’s struggles are not without attempts at intervention. After his doping scandal in 2020, cricket’s biggest icon, Sachin Tendulkar, personally reached out to him. Tendulkar’s advice to Shaw was simple yet powerful: “Discipline over talent.” Unfortunately, Shaw has yet to heed these words, with many pointing to his lack of discipline and failure to manage his career in a professional manner as the core reasons for his decline.

Disciplinary Issues And Fitness Woes

There are reports suggesting that Shaw’s fitness is now a huge issue. He was excluded from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad because of his poor fitness and high body fat percentage, but there is an even more significant issue: disciplinary problems.

Prithvi Shaw Affected By Memes

Shaw recently spoke out about the memes mocking him. He admitted that he even finds them funny, but he also said that they affect him emotionally. With the pressure mounting, Shaw has a chance to reassess his approach to the game and get back on track.

Prithvi Shaw making some sense, well said! pic.twitter.com/OnbOaQQX69

— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) November 25, 2024

Prithvi Shaw’s Brilliance

Despite Off-field controversies, Shaw has shown flashes of brilliance in domestic cricket. He scored 379 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Assam. He also followed that up with a century and a double hundred for Northamptonshire in the One-Day Cup. An unfortunate injury, however, put him out of commission just when he seemed to be getting back into his rhythm.

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Lack Of Consistency

Shaw’s performance in the Irani Cup so far with 76 runs was indeed a good show. Still, as he faces defeat after defeat in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it is easy to identify that Shaw’s career has reached a defining moment of his life. He definitely has the stuff to come out of his current phase, but only he can. This could be the last chance for him to revamp his career and show that it is not raw talent alone that gets people to the top but rather discipline and consistency.

Will Prithvi Shaw Make A Comeback?

Although his potential remains high, he has to overcome the challenges of fitness, discipline, and focus that have derailed his career so far. Whether he will rise to the challenge or slip into obscurity depends on his readiness to change and work towards fulfilling his immense potential. The clock is ticking, and it’s time for Shaw to prove that his journey is far from over.