Prithvi Shaw, once considered one of India’s brightest young talents, has found himself in the midst of a prolonged lean phase, drawing attention from coaches and analysts alike. Shaw, who was compared to explosive openers like Virender Sehwag for his aggressive batting style, has been facing a considerable decline in form. His recent performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, have been lackluster, leading to his exclusion from the Mumbai squad. Shaw, who had been a promising player on the international scene, has failed to make a significant impact in recent years.
Santosh Pingutkar, Shaw’s first coach, offered some insights into the reasons behind his struggles. Pingutkar noted that Shaw, still just 25, has been increasingly distracted by activities outside of cricket, which may have affected his focus and dedication to the game. Despite his clear love for cricket, Pingutkar believes that Shaw’s inability to convert this passion into consistent on-field efforts has contributed to his downfall. Pingutkar pointed out that Shaw’s performance had not deteriorated to the point where it warranted being unsold in the IPL auction, but his lack of discipline and focus outside of the sport may have been the root cause of his struggles.
Shaw, known for his brilliant start in international cricket, particularly his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018, has not been able to maintain the same level of consistency over the years. His exclusion from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad was a stark reminder of how far he has fallen. His recent scores of 7, 12, 1, and an unbeaten 39 in the first two rounds of the tournament reflected the ongoing issue with his form.
Although Shaw’s career is currently at a crossroads, his first coach remains optimistic about his potential to bounce back. Pingutkar believes that Shaw still has time to recover and reestablish himself in competitive cricket. If he can focus on his game and put in the hard work, Pingutkar is confident that Shaw can make a comeback, especially since he is still young and has the skills to succeed. The cricket world continues to watch closely, hoping for Shaw’s return to form and his eventual return to the Indian squad.