Prithvi Shaw was once hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, but he faced turbulent times both on and off the field. The 25-year-old opener was recently left out of Mumbai’s squad for the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 21. These include health issues, disciplinary issues and poor performance.
Discipline issues and Shaw’s mysterious posts
The report indicated that Shaw’s lack of discipline was a significant reason for his negligence. There were allegations that he frequently missed practice and returned to the team hotel at odd hours. A senior Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official said the team was “forced to hide him from the field” at times due to his poor fitness level and lack of discipline.
In response to the claims, Shaw posted a cryptic message on Instagram: “If you don’t fully understand, don’t talk about it. Too many people have full opinions and only half the truth. Freeye.”
He was previously frustrated at being left out of Mumbai’s 16-man squad despite featuring in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory.
Prithvi Shaw unsold in IPL 2025: Shaw’s unforgettable year
Shaw’s woes extended to the IPL, where his 2024 season with Delhi Capitals was far from memorable. He scored just 198 runs in 8 games at an average of 24.75, leading to his release ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. To make matters worse, Shaw went unsold at the auction, leaving him without an IPL team for the next season. Xiao has been absent from the national team since July 2021 and lacks important performances in domestic competitions, which further reduces his chances of returning.
Long road ahead
Shaw, who made his Test debut and played a key role in India’s U-19 World Cup victory, was once considered a batting prodigy but now faces a daunting challenge to revive his career. His fitness, form and discipline all need to improve significantly to regain the trust of the selectors and find his way back to domestic and international cricket.