Last month, Rishabh Pant made headlines when he became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, securing a deal worth 27 crore rupees (£2.54m) with Lucknow SuperGiants at the IPL mega auction in Saudi Arabia. Yet, it was the news of Prithvi Shaw—Pant’s teammate at Delhi Capitals—going unsold that captured even more attention.
Notably absent from the auction bidding for Shaw were figures who had closely mentored him, including Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, both of whom had worked with Shaw during his time with Delhi Capitals. Even Rahul Dravid, who had coached Shaw to victory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, showed no interest. Shaw’s failure to find a bidder at the auction was a stark reminder of the challenges he faces in his career.
Just nine months earlier, before the start of the 2024 IPL season, it was Pant whose career appeared to be in jeopardy following a horrific car crash in December 2022, which left him with life-threatening injuries. However, Pant displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming the setbacks with a determined comeback. After excelling in the IPL 2024 season, Pant was recalled to the Indian national team, contributing to India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and securing a return to Test cricket with a stunning century against Bangladesh.
Shaw’s story, however, has been quite the opposite. His indifferent form in IPL 2024, coupled with a series of low scores in domestic cricket, led to his exclusion from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team. His unsold status in the IPL auction has left his cricketing future hanging in the balance. The 25-year-old’s career, once so promising, is now on the brink of a premature end.
The Meteoric Rise: A Prodigy in the Making
Shaw first hit the headlines in November 2013, when, at just 14 years old, he scored a record-breaking 546 runs in the Harris Shield, a prestigious school cricket tournament. This unprecedented feat immediately drew comparisons with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, whose own early career was marked by a similarly spectacular school performance.
Shaw, a short and stocky opening batsman, did not possess Tendulkar’s technical brilliance, but he had an innate talent for timing and a natural attacking flair that captivated selectors. Fast-tracked into first-class cricket, Shaw made an immediate impact, scoring a century on his debut in both the Ranji and Duleep Trophies.
In late 2018, Shaw earned a call-up to the Indian Test team for a series against the West Indies. In his debut match, Shaw scored 134 runs off just 154 balls, exhibiting a mix of crisp drives and powerful cuts. At 19, he became one of the youngest Indians to score a Test century, and his future in Indian cricket seemed assured. With comparisons to both Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Shaw was expected to be a key figure in Indian cricket for years to come.
The Fall: A Career in Crisis
But Shaw’s career has faltered in the years since. Despite his promising start, he has played only four more Tests and just six ODIs, with a solitary T20I appearance—far fewer opportunities than most players with similar talent would have expected. Shaw’s rise was hampered by a series of setbacks, beginning with a foot injury during India’s 2020 tour of Australia, which led to his early return home. That year, he also tested positive for a banned substance, receiving only a light penalty, which further compounded his woes.
Over time, Shaw’s form continued to decline. His ability to perform with consistency became a distant memory, and despite his early promise, he was rarely able to secure a place in India’s starting XI. Meanwhile, reports began to emerge of Shaw being involved in wild parties and brawls, painting a picture of a player who was struggling with the pressures of fame and success.
As the 2024 IPL season progressed, Shaw’s performances were under scrutiny. His struggles continued in domestic cricket, and his absence from the IPL mega auction was a clear indication of how far his career had fallen.
Behind the Struggles: The Role of Fame and Discipline
The crux of Shaw’s decline, according to those close to him, has been his inability to cope with the pressures of fame, success, and sudden wealth. Ricky Ponting, who worked closely with Shaw during his time at Delhi Capitals, acknowledged the challenges of guiding a young talent. “There’s only so much advice you can give,” Ponting said. “At some point, it’s up to the player to take responsibility for his career.”
Former Indian cricketer Praveen Amre, who was assistant coach at Delhi Capitals, offered a blunt assessment of Shaw’s struggles. “Prithvi’s inability to handle IPL fame and money has been his undoing,” Amre explained. “I’ve spoken to him about the example of Vinod Kambli, who wasted his career due to a lack of discipline.” Amre’s words highlight a painful truth: that despite immense talent, the pressures of early success, wealth, and fame have derailed Shaw’s career.
The IPL has revolutionized young cricketers’ lives, offering them a platform to showcase their talent and secure financial stability. However, this rapid rise to fame comes with its own challenges, as Shaw’s story exemplifies. Rahul Dravid, who coached Shaw during the 2018 U-19 World Cup, has often stressed the importance of strong mentoring at the junior level to help players navigate these pressures. Shaw’s difficulties underscore the importance of nurturing young talent beyond just technical coaching.
What Lies Ahead for Shaw?
At 25, Shaw still has age on his side. But in a system as competitive as Indian cricket, where talent is abundant, his path to redemption is anything but easy. His performances over the last few years have been inconsistent, and with the rise of new young talents, the competition for spots in the national team is fiercer than ever. Shaw’s future in the sport now depends on his ability to adapt, find discipline, and reclaim his former brilliance.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen offered some advice on social media, urging Shaw to focus on his fitness and put his past behind him. “Some of the greatest sports stories are comeback stories,” Pietersen wrote. “Prithvi Shaw is too talented to throw it all away. With the right people around him and a renewed focus, he can get back on the correct path.”
The message for Shaw is clear: redemption is in his hands. If he can harness his immense talent and dedication, he may yet carve out the career that many once predicted for him. Time will tell whether Shaw can reclaim his place in Indian cricket and fulfill the potential that once seemed limitless.
