Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as Indian cricket’s next big star, faced a career setback last Monday when he went unsold in the IPL 2024 mega auction held in Jeddah. The 24-year-old, who had been compared to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara early in his career, now finds himself at a crossroads. Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal believes this disappointment could serve as a turning point for the young batter.
A Promising Start, Followed by Struggles
Shaw burst onto the scene as a teenage prodigy, leading India to victory in the U-19 World Cup and earning accolades for his performances. His international debut in 2018 was equally memorable, with a century against the West Indies in Rajkot prompting coach Ravi Shastri to liken him to cricketing greats such as Tendulkar, Lara, and Virender Sehwag.
The Mumbai batter’s IPL journey began the same year when Delhi Capitals signed him, later retaining him in 2022 for ₹7.5 crore. However, inconsistent performances and off-field issues began to overshadow his talent. After being dropped from the playing XI during IPL 2023, Shaw was released by the franchise in November.
In the 2024 IPL auction, Shaw’s base price of ₹75 lakh failed to attract any bids, even in the accelerated round, leaving him without a team for the upcoming season.
‘A Jolt Prithvi Needed’
Speaking to India Today, Jindal expressed hope that this setback could be the wake-up call Shaw needs to reignite his career. He highlighted how Shaw grew up under immense pressure, with constant comparisons to legendary players.
“Prithvi is a great kid but has been misunderstood in many ways. Sometimes, we all need a jolt to wake us from our slump. Growing up, he kept hearing that he was special—the next big thing in Indian cricket. People compared him to Tendulkar and Lara, and he became one of the few players, apart from Sachin and Kohli, to use an MRF bat. That kind of praise can be overwhelming. Mumbai cricket circles were already seeing him as the next Sunil Gavaskar or Sachin Tendulkar. But this jolt was perhaps necessary,” Jindal said.
A Call for Fitness and Discipline
Jindal urged Shaw to focus on his fitness and discipline while rediscovering his love for the game. “He needs to work hard, regain his passion for cricket, and improve his fitness and discipline. If he does, I am confident he can return to being the Prithvi Shaw we all know,” he added.
The Road Ahead
Shaw’s journey serves as a reminder of the challenges young cricketers face when burdened with high expectations early in their careers. As he navigates this phase, the cricketing fraternity hopes he can channel this setback into a resurgence, proving his mettle once again.
