What Happened to Prithvi Shaw?
Prithvi Shaw is a young talented cricketer who became famous before he donned the blue jersey. Shaw’s budding career is full of stunning performances and shocking setbacks. After leading his team to success in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, Shaw was hailed as a rising Indian cricket star. Due to his potential, he was compared to Sachin Tendulkar, the ‘God of Cricket’ himself.
Prithvi Shaw’s Early Fame and Comparisons to Legends
Prithvi Shaw’s cricket career started at the ripe age of 14 when he played for his school in the Harris Shield in 2013. He scored a whopping 546 off 330 balls, consisting of 85 fours and 5 sixes. Shaw’s shot to fame began in 2017, aged 17 when he became the youngest player to score a century on the Duleep Trophy debut. He broke the record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Shaw caught the media’s attention during the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, where he captained the Indian team. He led the team to title-win, a great feat achieved at a tender age. The fans started drawing parallels between Shaw and Tendulkar- both exceptional batsmen who earned their names very early in their careers. He garnered strong appreciation from the cricket fraternity for his explosive batting skills and confidence.
His awe-striking debut in both the Ranji Trophy and the Duleep Trophy made him the child prodigy of cricket. Shaw made waves in domestic cricket with his aggressive batting and impeccable timing with the ball.
Prithvi Shaw’s Internation Debut
Shaw’s great form and hard work peaked during his Test debut where he played against the West Indies in 2018. His debut was a shocker for cricket fans as he became the youngest to score 134 in his very first innings. His ability to face bowling attacks from seasoned players and natural flair with the bat drew attention from legends and fans alike.
However, as fast as he shot to fame, his journey took an unexpected turn. Prithvi Shaw’s performance in the last two test matches against Australia was disappointing. He scored just 0 and 4, which was not expected from a stellar performer like him. His low average and fitness issues led to his exclusion from the Indian team.
Prithvi Shaw’s Downfall: Challenges and Controversies
Despite being the new hope of the Indian cricket team with such a power-packed start to a career, Shaw’s journey was short-lived. His bad form and fitness reflected his disappointing game. The constant pressure of being a star performer got to him. The competitive backdrop of Indian cricket replaced him quickly with performers like Shubman Gill.
The final nail in the coffin was an eight-month ban imposed on him by BCCI in 2019. Shaw tested positive for an illegal substance-Terbutaline. He claimed that the substance got to him through a cough syrup he consumed to treat a minor illness. This ban led to his downfall, marking the end of his rising career.
Prithvi Shaw’s Unwavering Resilience in Domestic Tournaments
Prithvi Shaw has shown a never-say-die attitude by giving his best performances on the domestic front. Despite the setbacks and challenges, he has continued to play with the same willpower and confidence.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
Shaw emerged as a standout player in the 2020-2021 season. He scored a total of 827 runs in 8 matches and a strike rate of 138.29. This includes 4 centuries, with a highest score of 227*. It was the highest individual score in the history of the tournament. Shaw resumed giving exceptional performances in the next season (2021-22).
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Shaw made a significant contribution to the Mumbai Team in the 2021-22 season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Prithvi Shaw scored 332 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.20 and a strike rate of 145.11.
Ranji Trophy
Prithvi Shaw has emerged as a seasoned and mature player in the latest seasons of the Ranji Trophy. In the 2022-2023 season, in 7 matches he scored a mammoth 595 runs. Shaw gave the second-highest individual score of his first-class career with a double century against Assam.
Indian Premier League
Prithvi Shaw played for the Delhi team in the IPL. He is the star of powerplay overs with aggressive strokes and a fiery strike rate. He has given several explosive scores in the previous seasons of the series. However, in the 2023 season, he could only manage a total of 106, averaging 13.35 and a strike rate of 124.71. In the IPL 2024, he increased his runs account to 198 with an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.64.
Can Prithvi Shaw Make a Comeback?
Prithvi Shaw’s journey from a rising star to a struggling cricketer is full of unpredictable setbacks. Despite the challenges thrown at him, he continues with towering grit, giving his best in the domestic scene. Shaw has been consistently performing better in the hopes of making it to the Indian Test cricket team. The fierce competition between the players and the already available young pool of talent might make it difficult for him. Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are well-established top-order batsmen who will give Shaw a tough time fighting for his spot.
