Prithvi Shaw’s future in Indian cricket used to look as bright as a shining star. But now he is on an extended losing streak. The cricketer’s childhood coach, Santosh Pingutkar, has said he is very upset with Shaw’s decline. He has mourned the player’s poor performance and off-field activities.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Pingutkar reflected on the young batter’s unrealized potential. “He is just 25 years old. He still has age on his side. He can bounce back with hard work if he wants to sustain in competitive cricket,” the coach said. His tone was flavoured with both hope and disappointment.
A Bright Start Dimmed by Off-Field Distractions.
He led India to the Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2018, scored a Test hundred on debut, and then had to endure a doping ban along with being out of favor with selectors. According to Pingutkar, Shaw’s focus has shifted over the years, which has hurt his cricketing prospects.
“Other activities, everything but his game, witnessed a rise. He was more involved in his groups outside cricket,” Pingutkar noted. “But there’s no doubt he loves cricket. The issue is that he hasn’t converted that love into consistent effort.”
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Recent Struggles: IPL Snub and Domestic Woes
Shaw’s exclusion from the IPL mega auction in Jeddah marked a new low. Released by Delhi Capitals in October, he went unsold despite the presence of his former mentors Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting, and Rahul Dravid. There were no bids for him even during the accelerated rounds of the IPL 2025 Mega auction.
Shaw’s domestic performance has also been disappointing. He was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad. He also had scored of 33, 0, 23, and 40 in his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy outings. This further worsened his case of revival.
Glimpses of Brilliance
Despite his struggles, Shaw did show glimpses of his fabulous talent. In early 2023, he made a knock of 379 in the Ranji Trophy against Assam. He then exploded in his One-Day Cup in England for a double-century on debut. However, injuries and inconsistent performances have kept him out of the limelight.
Pingutkar still remains optimistic about his student’s future. He appealed to Shaw to regain his focus on cricket. “He should bounce back as soon as possible. Everyone’s blessings are with him,” the coach observed, while underlining that discipline and hard work will help rebuild Shaw’s career.
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