Prithvi ShawThe 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning captain is all set to make his comeback to top-level cricket. Delhi Capitals. Shaw was picked up by the Delhi-based franchise at his base price of ₹75 lakh in the 2025 IPL mega auction, and that too at the last minute when no other team showed interest in him.
The interesting thing is that this is the same player who was bought Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2018 for ₹1.2 crore. However, he failed to live up to the expectations initially and managed just 245 runs in 9 innings.
After a long time of eight years, when no franchise seemed interested in him, Delhi once again showed faith in him by not only picking him but also giving him another chance to prove himself in the cricket world.
Prithvi Shaw: Journey from “the next Sachin” to “inconsistent and unfit player”
Prithvi Shaw’s journey in cricket has been no less than ups and downs, one moment at the top and the next moment at the bottom. After leading India to victory in the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup, Shaw has achieved everything he ever dreamed of: fame, money and recognition at a very young age. He even started being compared to giants Sachin TendulkarMany called him “the next big thing” in Indian cricket.
However, with early success came immense pressures and distractions. As expectations rose, Prithvi Shaw struggled to keep up. His form deteriorated, technical flaws became more visible and off-field problems began to affect his career. Reports of poor discipline, fitness concerns and being surrounded by bad company further derailed his progress. Over time, he was in and out of the team, facing criticism from selectors and fans.
A career full of failures and struggles
In recent years, Prithvi Shaw has faced a tumultuous phase in his career. He was once considered a future star, but suffered a series of setbacks that took him out of contention both domestically and nationally.
Health and Discipline Issues: Shaw was often criticized for being overweight, lacking discipline and showing low motivation which led to him being dropped from major teams.
Form and injuries: His performance saw a huge decline during IPL 2023-2024 and a knee injury further hampered his pace.
Off the field conflict: Prithvi Shaw also went through personal challenges, admitting that he felt “mentally far away from home” while trying to rebuild his career.
He was even dropped from the Mumbai domestic team, which was a significant low point in his journey. Eventually, he moved to Maharashtra in search of a fresh start and better opportunities.
Prithvi Shaw got a second chance to rewrite his story.
Despite all the setbacks, Shaw is working hard behind the scenes to make a strong comeback. Reports suggest that he is focusing on improving his fitness, discipline and mental strength, areas which once held him back.
IPL 2026 season can prove to be a turning point for his career. with Delhi Capitals Backing him once again, Shaw has a golden opportunity to silence his critics and remind everyone of his true potential. Talking about Prithvi Shaw, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan came in his support and said, “He must be hungry to prove himself at some point.”
This comeback is not just about scoring runs; It’s about liberation. It’s about proving that the same player who was once touted as “the next Sachin” still has the hunger and ability to succeed at the highest level.
“They bought him at a very good price. I think those hungry players who were not sold last year always come with something to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come with a point to prove,” he said.
He said, “The hungry players who have been dropped from the team are very excited, but at the same time they also put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform. This pressure always leads you to failure.”
Can Prithvi Shaw emerge again?
Now the biggest question is whether Shaw will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Cricket has seen many players fall and rise again and Shaw too has the talent to write a similar comeback story.
If he manages to stay fit, disciplined and focused, there is no doubt that he can once again become a key player not only for Delhi Capitals, but potentially for India as well.
Also Read: Prithvi Shaw’s romantic post takes the internet by storm as he announces engagement with Aakriti Agarwal
