Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a future star of Indian cricket, finds himself struggling to revive a career that began with great promise. The 25-year-old, who captained India to glory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup and scored a century on his Test debut at the age of 19, now faces challenges in maintaining form and securing opportunities.
Santosh Pingulkar, Shaw’s childhood coach who guided him through his formative years, recently shed light on the factors behind his decline. Contrary to assumptions about financial distractions, Pingulkar highlighted the influence of Shaw’s changing social circle as a significant contributor to his struggles. Starting his cricket journey as a toddler, Shaw displayed exceptional talent from a young age, which Pingulkar nurtured for over a decade. The coach reflected on his protégé’s early potential, describing Shaw’s natural flair and distinctive style that set him apart on the field.
“Prithvi was extraordinary from the beginning. His skills, whether defending or attacking, were special. Despite neither parent having a cricketing background, he was gifted. His father played a pivotal role, making countless sacrifices to support Prithvi’s dreams,” Pingulkar shared in an exclusive interview with My Khel.
Shaw’s rise was meteoric, transitioning to senior practice sessions with the Mumbai Cricket Association by age 14 and quickly earning recognition at the international level. However, his career soon hit a rough patch with injuries, a doping ban in 2019, and erratic performances derailing his trajectory. Despite these setbacks, Pingulkar dismissed financial struggles as a factor, instead emphasizing how fame shifted Shaw’s focus.
“Fame brought changes that impacted him. He got involved with a social circle outside cricket, including the filmy world, which distracted him. Although he never lost his passion for cricket, his attention was diverted,” Pingulkar remarked, adding that these changes made it harder for Shaw to return to form.
Shaw’s recent exclusion from the IPL 2025 auction, even after lowering his base price to ₹75 lakh, has further underscored his challenges. Coupled with underwhelming performances in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he failed to make significant contributions in his last five games, the young batter finds himself at a crossroads in his career.
