He was once touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar. However, Prithvi Shaw’s career has taken a turbulent turn, plagued by controversies and inconsistent performances. Despite a stellar start in domestic and international cricket, Shaw struggled to maintain his form and capitalise on early success.
His recent exclusion from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad, attributed to fitness concerns and disciplinary issues, has further clouded his future. Once seen as a prodigy, Shaw now faces the challenge of rebuilding his career and addressing the growing doubts surrounding his commitment and approach to the game.
In the two Ranji Trophy matches he featured in, Shaw managed just 7 and 12 against Baroda, followed by 1 and an unbeaten 39 against Maharashtra, highlighting his dip in form. His fitness issues have only compounded the problem, with concerns about his weight evident in his below-par performances. What’s more troubling is that these fitness concerns are not new, yet Shaw appears to show little urgency or intent to address them. With questions mounting, his inability to make necessary adjustments is becoming a major obstacle in his path to a successful comeback.
Former international cricketer and World Cup winner Dilip Vengsarkar remains optimistic about Prithvi Shaw’s return. When asked about Shaw’s recent struggles, Vengsarkar stated, “Prithvi is an extremely gifted player with an abundance of skill and talent, but inconsistency with runs has hurt his chances deeply. A few big knocks could bring him back into form.”
Vengsarkar, who has followed Shaw’s progress since a young age, emphasised that the batter’s dedication should never be doubted. “Prithvi has worked hard on his game from a young age. Everyone has ups and downs, but he is a batter who can excel in any conditions,” he added.
When asked if Shaw could make a comeback to the Indian team soon, Vengsarkar confidently replied, “Yes, definitely. He should be playing international cricket if he can score big runs.” Acknowledging Shaw’s fitness issues, Vengsarkar admitted it could be a challenge in the long run but expressed faith that Shaw would address these flaws. “I’m confident he will work on them and emerge as a better player from these adversities,” Vengsarkar added. With the talent Shaw possesses, it would be a shame if his career is cut short.
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