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Once touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw’s stocks went down, owing to inconsistent performances and fitness issues. Following the Indian Premier League (2025) mega auction snub, Shaw made some changes and they have started to pay dividends but it’s only a start. The former Mumbai batter on his debut for Maharashtra in Buchi Babu tournament against Chattisgarh, scored a century to announce his arrival. A physically and mentally changed Shaw is not thinking too far ahead and trying to stay in present and is not afraid to begin from the beginning.
"I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life," Shaw said after Day 2’s play as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "And I've been up there, I've been down there, and I've come back up there. So, everything is possible, I feel. I'm kind of a very confident guy, confident in myself and my work ethics. I feel and I hope that this season will go really well for me as well as for my new team."
How Shaw took the first step of transformation
Last season, Shaw was dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy side due to his below par fitness. The former Mumbai opener is now focused on his training and diet.
"I mean, these two-three months [before the season] I had my trainer [working with me]," he said. "He used to come personally to train me. And I've got a dietitian as well, and he gives me the meals [plan] and everything - like what a dietitian does. So, all this stuff in three-four months has really changed me physically and mentally as well. And, you know, it can be seen on the field."
Shaw’s approach in century against Chattisgarh
Shaw shared a 71-run opening partnership with Sachin Dhas. He did the bulk of scoring as Dhas scored 10 runs from 64 balls. Maharashtra suffered a mini collapse including the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. They lost four wickets within 16 runs. Shaw continued to march on. He scored 111 runs from 141 deliveries, featuring 15 fours and a six. He was stumped off leg-spinner Shubham Agrawal's delivery.
"I feel it [my approach] depended on the scoreboard," Shaw said. "Obviously, we're four wickets down for 17 [after an opening stand of 71]. We had a good opening partnership, but when wickets were falling, I had to be patient enough to take the game away from them, which I was trying my best [to do]. And the wicket [in Chennai] is obviously good for spinners.
"It [the pitch] is turning, bouncing and [there are] a lot of patches on the wicket. So, I tried my best to just be over there and try to [make] some scores. It feels really nice [to score a hundred], especially because I'm playing my first game for Maharashtra. It feels nice; it's been long, and I haven't played a three-day or four-day game [recently]."
Shaw away from social media
The 25-year-old Shaw has distanced himself from social media as is at peace. He credited his family for their support and wants to try harder for them.
"Just trying to be myself, and not really trying to be on social media or anything - those kind of distractions which I really don't like because nowadays social media and all those stuff, it's quite bad, I would say," he said. "So, I don't really [want to] be on social media and stuff. It's kind of peaceful when I'm not using it.
"And I think the lesson always is: 'I've never lost'. It's always about learning for me. And like I said before, I'm confident enough in myself [regarding] who I am. Obviously, my family has been a big support in my tough times, and my coach Prashant Shetty [as well]. So, there's a lot of support behind me, and I don't want to make them feel that I'm not trying hard enough."
So far, Shaw has 4,556 runs from 58 first-class games at an average of 46.02, including 13 centuries and 18 fifties. It will be interesting to see how Shaw performs for Maharashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.
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