The Enigma of Prithvi Shaw: Understanding the Rise and Fall in Indian Cricket
The Promising Start & Rapid Decline
Prithvi Shaw, once considered the next big thing in Indian cricket, has seen his promising career take a nosedive. Despite being hailed as a future Sachin Tendulkar, Shaw’s career has stalled after a mere five Tests, six ODIs, and one T20I. His recent struggles culminated in being unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction and being excluded from Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy squads.
Insights from Shashank Singh
Punjab Kings (PBKS) star Shashank Singh, who has played with Shaw, offered some insights into what might be going wrong. During an appearance on the Shubhankar Mishra podcast, Shashank mentioned that Shaw is underrated and could achieve greatness if he returns to his basics.
“Prithvi Shaw is underrated. If he goes back to his basics, he can achieve anything. I know him since he was 13, since I’ve played club cricket with him in Bombay,” Shashank said. He also suggested that Shaw might need to adjust his work ethics and lifestyle, recommending changes such as sleeping earlier and improving his diet.
The Path to Redemption
Shashank, who had a remarkable season with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, believes that if Shaw can accept and implement these changes, it would be a boon for Indian cricket. Despite his belief, Shashank acknowledged that Shaw likely already has a strong support system providing guidance.
Shaw recently led the ‘Route Mobile’ team in the DY Patil T20 2025 tournament. However, during the IPL 2025 mega auction, he was unable to secure a single bid from the 10 teams, despite setting a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
Rise of Shashank Singh
While Shaw’s career has been on the decline, Shashank Singh has seen a meteoric rise. Shashank’s outstanding performance in the IPL 2025 season, where he scored 354 runs at a strike rate of nearly 165, earned him a retention from Punjab Kings for Rs 5.5 crore ahead of the mega auction. His breakthrough season propelled him to become the ninth-most searched athlete on Google in 2024, alongside Hardik Pandya as the only Indian in the Top 10.
Current Standings and Future Prospects
Shashank will play under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer in the upcoming IPL 2025 for PBKS, with the franchise aiming to clinch their first-ever title. Meanwhile, Shaw’s future remains uncertain, but the potential for a turnaround is evident in his talent.
Key Takeaways
| Player | Performance Highlights | Current Status | Potential for Redemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prithvi Shaw | Once hailed as the next Sachin Tendulkar, | Struggles, unsold in IPL 2025 auction. | Needs to return to basics. |
| Shashank Singh | Breakthrough IPL 2025 season, retention for Rs 5.5 crore. | Rising star, ninth-most searched athlete | Confirmed position in PBKS for 2025. |
FAQ Section
What are the current challenges facing Prithvi Shaw?
Prithvi Shaw has experienced multiple setbacks, including not being picked in the IPL 2025 auction and being left out of the Mumbai squads for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy.
How did Shashank Singh perform in IPL 2025?
Shashank Singh had a phenomenal season, scoring 354 runs at a strike rate of nearly 165. This performance resulted in his retention by PBKS ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
What advice did Shashank Singh offer to Prithvi Shaw?
Shashank suggested that Shaw needs to focus on his basics and make improvements in his lifestyle and work ethic to reach his full potential.