Prithvi Shaw has hit a nadir. Once regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Shaw has spent the last couple of years in wilderness. Fitness and disciplinary issues came to a head last year, and he was dropped by Mumbai from the Ranji Trophy. He went unsold in the IPL auction, despite being one of the better ball strikers at the top of the order.
I made a lot of bad decisions: Prithvi Shaw opens up on career decline
In an interview with News 24 journalist Vaibhav Bhola, Prithvi Shaw revealed how he lost focus and his career derailed in the last couple of years. The former Delhi Capitals star made his Test debut at 18 and scored a century, but that was ultimately a flase start. Now 25, Shaw is at crossroads, trying to revive his career after a few difficult years. He admits to taking a lot of wrong decisions, including making some wrong friends along the way.
“I have taken a lot of wrong decisions in life. I started giving less time to cricket. I used to practice a lot. For example, I used to bat for 3-4 hours in nets. I never got tired of batting. I used to go to the ground for half a day. I admit that there was a distraction. I used to give 8 hours of practice on the ground. Now it is 4 hours,” Shaw told News24.
I had a family problem: Shaw opens on difficult years
Shaw spoke candidly throughout the interview. In the past few years, the Mumbai batter has been alleged to have lot discipline, while his fitness has been a major let down. He added that it was a tough phase in his life, especially after he lost his grandfather.
“I made some wrong friends. Because I was at the top at that time. Friendship is also formed. Then they took me here and there. All those things. Then I got away from the track. There are a lot of things. It’s not just that. I had a family problem. My grandfather had passed away. He was very dear to me. There are a lot of things that I can’t tell you. But I can feel it,” he added.
Shaw is now aiming to restart his career. The 25-year-old has sought an NOC from Mumbai, and has offers from 3-4 states to play in the Ranji Trophy. A change of team has seen the likes of Karun Nair and Wasim Jaffer rebuild their domestic careers and Shaw would hope to do the same.
