Earlier this year, former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting expressed hope that Prithvi Shaw would eventually figure out what it takes to fulfill his potential as a top cricketer.
“Hopefully one day the penny really drops for him,” Ponting shared.
Yet, despite moments of brilliance, the breakthrough Shaw needs continues to elude him.
Shaw has recently been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. In October 2024, during the first phase of the Ranji Trophy, he was dropped from the Mumbai squad—a decision widely seen as a subtle warning due to his recurring disciplinary and fitness issues.
Things worsened in the IPL 2025 auction, where Shaw, listed at a base price of INR 75 Lakhs, went unsold even after being presented twice.
Pravin Amre, former DC assistant coach, also weighed in on Shaw’s struggles, emphasizing that “talent alone cannot take one to the top.” Amre said, “I was part of the management when we backed him, but also in the decision-making group that dropped him due to indiscipline… I hope this IPL auction snub serves as an eye-opener for him.”
Shaw’s setbacks began earlier in the 2023-24 season when a knee injury during his Northamptonshire stint sidelined him from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He returned strongly in the Ranji Trophy with 451 runs at an average of 50.11 but struggled in IPL 2024, managing just 198 runs at 24.75 with a lone half-century while spending six games on the bench.
As the 2024 domestic season progressed, Shaw’s form continued to dip. In four Ranji Trophy innings, he scored just 59 runs. His Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign was similarly underwhelming, with 197 runs at 21.88. A bright spot came in a 26-ball 49 against Vidarbha in the quarterfinals, but he faltered in the tournament’s final stages, scoring just 8 and 10 as Mumbai clinched the title.
After Mumbai’s victory in the final against Madhya Pradesh, captain Shreyas Iyer praised Shaw’s natural talent but called for introspection. “Personally, I think he is a God-gifted player. The amount of talent he possesses is unmatched. But he needs to improve his work ethics,” Shreyas said.
He elaborated, “I’ve said this before—he needs to get his work ethics right. If he does, the sky is the limit. But you can’t force someone. He has played so much cricket, and everyone has given him inputs. At this level, no one will babysit you. It’s up to him to sit back, think, and figure things out. He has done it in the past, so it’s not impossible. He just needs to focus.”
Shreyas’ words echo the sentiment of many who have followed Shaw’s career: the talent is undeniable, but it’s time for Shaw to take responsibility and rediscover the focus required to achieve his potential.