Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, is currently enduring a turbulent phase in his career. Recently, the 25-year-old batter went unsold in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, which took place in Saudi Arabia. This was yet another blow to Shaw’s cricketing journey, and it has raised serious concerns about his future in the sport. Amid these challenges, his childhood coach, Santosh Pingutkar, shared some insights into the factors contributing to Shaw’s decline and expressed hope for his potential comeback.
The Meteoric Rise of Prithvi Shaw: From U-19 World Cup Hero to IPL Star
Prithvi Shaw’s journey to fame began in 2018 when he led India to victory in the ICC U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. His exceptional performances, including a century in the final, brought him into the limelight, and he was soon dubbed as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Shaw’s rise continued when he made his debut for the Indian senior team in the same year against the West Indies. His impressive 134-run knock on Test debut against the West Indies further solidified his reputation, with many experts drawing comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
In 2018, Shaw also made his IPL debut with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), further securing his place in Indian cricket. His early years in international cricket and the IPL were marked by promising performances, with Shaw showing immense potential to become one of the country’s top batters.
The Struggles and Distractions
However, as Shaw’s fame grew, so did the distractions surrounding him. Despite his early success, Shaw struggled to maintain consistency, both on and off the field. A series of off-field controversies, including a doping ban and a public dispute with an Instagram influencer, began to overshadow his cricketing talent. Shaw’s inability to balance his newfound fame, wealth, and his commitment to cricket led to a noticeable decline in his performances.
Santosh Pingutkar, Shaw’s childhood coach, recently opened up about the root causes of his downfall. Pingutkar pointed out that Shaw had become increasingly involved in activities outside cricket, which took a toll on his game. “Other activities apart from cricket witnessed a rise. He was more involved in his group outside cricket. But no doubt he loves cricket,” Pingutkar stated in an interview with ETV Bharat.
Santosh Pingutkar’s Heartfelt Concern
Pingutkar, who has been with Shaw since his early days, expressed disappointment over his pupil’s inability to channel his love for the game into consistent performances. According to Pingutkar, this lack of focus on cricket is a key reason behind Shaw’s current struggles. “He wasn’t able to convert his love for the game into his efforts. That’s why he is witnessing such a lean phase. He should bounce back as soon as possible. Everyone’s blessings are with him,” Pingutkar said.
The IPL auction was a stark reminder of Shaw’s fall from grace. Despite being a part of the Delhi Capitals squad for eight years, Shaw went unsold in the 2025 IPL auction, with his former franchise not even showing interest in retaining him. This setback was compounded by his exclusion from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness and disciplinary issues. These setbacks have raised concerns about Shaw’s future in the competitive world of cricket.
The Path to Redemption: Pingutkar’s Optimism
Despite the challenges, Pingutkar remains hopeful about Shaw’s future. The coach emphasized that Shaw is still young and has plenty of time to revive his career. “He is just 25 years old. He still has age on his hand. He can bounce back with hard work if he wants to sustain in competitive cricket,” Pingutkar said, offering a glimmer of hope for Shaw’s fans and supporters.
Pingutkar also acknowledged that while Shaw’s recent performances have not been up to the mark, they have not been so dismal as to permanently derail his career. “His performance hasn’t been up to the mark in the last 4-5 years. He has also struggled with his form in the ongoing season of the Ranji Trophy, but it hasn’t been so much worse that he will remain unsold. But he should now work hard and return to the Mumbai side,” Pingutkar added.
Currently, Shaw is playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for Mumbai, where his scores in four matches have been 33, 0, 23, and 40. These performances suggest that while he is still struggling to regain his form, there is room for improvement.
Conclusion: Can Prithvi Shaw Bounce Back?
Prithvi Shaw’s journey in cricket has been a rollercoaster ride filled with early success, controversies, and setbacks. His downfall has been a sobering reminder of how easily distractions can derail the career of even the most promising young talents. However, with the support of his childhood coach Santosh Pingutkar and the right mindset, Shaw has the potential to rediscover his form and make a strong comeback to Indian cricket.
As Pingutkar rightly pointed out, Shaw is still young and has time on his side. His love for cricket, coupled with hard work and dedication, could help him regain his place in the national team and IPL. The cricketing world will be eagerly watching to see if Shaw can overcome these challenges and fulfill the immense promise that he once showed.
