The curious case of Prithvi Shaw: From being next Tendulkar to going out of favour

The thing about prodigious talent is that it comes with great expectations. But when those expectations aren’t met, they leave everyone wondering if they were justified to begin with.

Those who once believed in Prithvi Shaw may be feeling this more than ever right now. Shaw is still under 25, but for someone who became a household name almost a decade ago, the highs and lows of his career have come far too soon. Not only has he been out of favour with the Indian cricket team for a couple of years now, but even his domestic side has lost patience.

After underwhelming performances in the first two rounds of the 2024 Ranji Trophy, Shaw was dropped from the Mumbai squad for the third round. Reports suggest the decision wasn’t just based on form—disciplinary issues and missed training sessions seem to have added to his woes. Concerns about his fitness, with Shaw allegedly being overweight, have further stained his reputation.

From being touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar to becoming a cricketer fighting for relevance, Prithvi Shaw’s story is a sobering reminder that talent alone isn’t enough—it needs discipline and focus to flourish. His journey also highlights how difficult it is to handle success at a young age.

So, where did things begin to unravel for this prodigy? To understand that, we must go back to the start. Born in Thane, on the outskirts of Mumbai, Shaw’s cricketing journey began early. A local coach spotted him playing street cricket at the age of three, and soon his father, Pankaj Shaw, gave up his career to fully support his son’s ambitions. At just 10 years old, Shaw joined the MIG Cricket Club in Bandra, traveling 70 kilometers daily from Thane to be closer to his dream.

His first brush with fame came in 2013 when, as a 14-year-old, he smashed 546 runs off just 330 balls in a Harris Shield game. That extraordinary knock included 85 fours and five sixes, breaking records and making him an overnight sensation. But Shaw kept his humility intact. In an interview after the innings, he said, “Sachin, when he was 14, played Ranji. I am not there yet, so I don’t compare myself with him.

He’s a great man, and I just like him.” In the following years, Shaw continued to set records at every level. He equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s feat of scoring centuries on debut in both the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. At 17, he became the youngest player to score a century on his Duleep Trophy debut. In 2018, he made his Test debut for India, becoming the youngest Indian to score a century in his first Test—a record only Tendulkar himself had previously achieved.

Stardom and early success

By 2018, Shaw’s name was everywhere. He led India’s U19 team to a flawless World Cup victory, with the team remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. His leadership, combined with his batting talent, drew the attention of the Delhi Daredevils, who drafted him into their IPL squad with a ₹1.2 crore contract. Life seemed perfect—runs, trophies, and fame arrived all at once. Back home, the young star was celebrated by fans, with people lining up just to catch a glimpse of him.

Even legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli were impressed by Shaw’s talent. Kohli once said, “This guy is supremely talented. He has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.” The young Shaw was even privileged to watch the 2011 World Cup final alongside Tendulkar’s children—an image that remains etched in the memories of cricket fans.

The Decline: Talent without discipline
However, as quickly as the rise came, the fall followed. Shaw’s troubles began just a year after his Test debut. In 2019, he was suspended by the BCCI for eight months after testing positive for terbutaline, a banned substance found in cough syrups. Shaw insisted the incident was accidental, but the damage to his reputation had already been done.

Disciplinary issues began to overshadow his career. Expensive cars, late-night parties, and reports of him neglecting his fitness started doing the rounds. During a practice match in Sydney in 2020, Ajinkya Rahane reportedly caught Shaw faking an injury to avoid fielding for long periods—an incident that further eroded the team management’s trust in him.

In 2021, Ricky Ponting, Shaw’s IPL coach, revealed how Shaw had declined his offer for an extra net session despite struggling with form. Ponting’s frustration reflected a growing concern within cricketing circles about Shaw’s attitude and lack of focus.

Shaw’s fitness also took a hit, with him failing the yo-yo test and becoming the target of body-shaming on social media. His once-promising career seemed to be slipping away, not because of a lack of talent but due to his inability to manage his lifestyle off the field.

A career at the crossroads
By 2023, Shaw was in the news not for his cricket but for an off-field altercation with a social media influencer outside a hotel. The incident was another nail in the coffin of his fading career. Now, in 2024, Shaw finds himself without a place in Mumbai’s Ranji squad—a shocking fall from grace for someone once compared to Tendulkar.

While some still believe Shaw can turn things around, the window of opportunity is closing fast. His story is a cautionary tale of what happens when raw talent is not backed by discipline and focus. It makes us wonder—what could Prithvi Shaw have become if he had channeled his potential better? Where would Indian cricket be if his career had stayed on track?

As things stand, Shaw’s career hangs in the balance, a reminder that success in cricket—or life—requires more than just talent. It demands discipline, humility, and the ability to stay grounded, no matter how high one rises. Whether he stages a comeback or becomes a case of unfulfilled potential is a question only time will answer. But for now, Prithvi Shaw’s journey serves as a stark lesson: talent may open doors, but only hard work keeps them open.