Prithvi Shaw, once considered a rising star in Indian cricket, has found himself at the center of controversy. This comes after failing to attract any bids during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 24-year-old batter, who led India to victory in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, has faced significant backlash from analysts and former players regarding his fitness and conduct.
Auction Disappointment for Prithvi Shaw
At the auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Shaw entered with a base price of ₹75 lakh. However, he went unsold. This marks the first time since his debut in 2018 that he will not participate in an IPL season. Despite being mentioned twice during the auction, no franchises raised their paddles for him.
Shaw’s recent performances have been underwhelming. This has raised questions about his commitment to the sport. He has struggled with form, managing only a handful of runs in recent domestic matches. His exclusion from the IPL comes as a significant setback for a player once compared to legends like Sachin Tendulkar.
Criticism from Former Team India Selector
A former selector expressed disappointment at Shaw’s current state, noting that he had opportunities to learn from cricketing greats like Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, and Sourav Ganguly while at Delhi Capitals.
He stated, “Prithvi has been in Delhi Capitals. In DC itself, he had a chance to interact with Rahul Dravid, who was also his U-19 India coach, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly. It’s an open secret in Mumbai cricket that Tendulkar has also spoken to him. Are these legends fools? Do you see any change in him? Even if there is, it is not evident.”
His inability to capitalize on advice from such esteemed figures has left many questioning his dedication to improving his game.
Fitness Issues and Conduct Concerns
Shaw’s fitness has been a recurring theme in discussions about his career. Reports indicate that he has been dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad due to poor fitness levels, with his body fat reportedly at 35%. An official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) stated, “He has been dropped and needs to go back to training and shed some body weight to be considered for selection.”
The MCA had previously mandated that Shaw undergo a fitness program to regain his place in the team. However, he missed multiple training sessions, leading to further disciplinary issues. “You have to look at his fitness and his running when he is on the field,” the MCA official added.
Turning Point in Prithvi Shaw’s Career
Shaw now finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Once considered one of the most promising young talents, he faces the challenge of rebuilding his reputation after being overlooked by IPL franchises. The negative perceptions about his fitness and attitude have overshadowed his talent.
Despite this setback, Shaw has shown glimpses of brilliance in the past, including a record-breaking 379 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Assam. However, consistency remains elusive, and he must now focus on regaining form and fitness to revive his cricketing career.
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