A former BCCI selector has criticized Prithvi Shaw for not following the advice of cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting. Notably, Prithvi Shaw is left without an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise for the first time in eight years in his professional cricket career.
Prithvi had a sensational start to his Test career with a debut century six years ago. However, his fortunes have changed with a significant decline in his performance and fitness. He was released by Delhi Capitals and was sold not once but twice in the IPL 2025 mega auction in Saudi Arabia.
Prithvi Shaw had two disappointing seasons with Delhi Capitals, scoring 106 and 198 runs in eight games in 2023 and 2024, with just a half-century. The franchise had acquired it for Rs 7.5 million. In total, Shaw has scored 1,892 runs in 79 IPL matches at a strike rate of 147.46, including 14 half-centuries.
Are these legends silly? – Former BCCI Selector
A former BCCI selector accused Prithvi Shaw of ignoring Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid. The selector said Shaw had opportunities to interact with these greats during his time with the Delhi Capitals. The coach said Shaw has not shown any improvement.
“Prithvi has been to the capitals of Delhi. In DC itself, he got a chance to interact with Rahul Dravid, who was also his India under-19 coach, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly,” a former BCCI selector told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“It is an open secret in Mumbai cricket that Tendulkar has also spoken to him. Are these legends fools? Do you see any change in him? Even if there is, it is not evident,” he added.
Prithvi Shaw dropped out of Mumbai Ranji Trophy team due to fitness issues
India does not lack talent in cricket, but discipline and self-control are crucial to success. Sachin Tendulkar’s friend Vinod Kambli was often considered more naturally gifted. However, their careers took very different trajectories. Kambli ended his career without justifying his talent.
Prithvi is on track to suffer a similar fate as Kambli, worried about his poor fitness and disciplinary problems. He was recently dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team due to high body fat percentage and lack of fitness. However, Shaw was included in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team.
Prithvi Shaw currently plays for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as the future of Indian cricket, is currently facing a challenging phase in his career. After being released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Shaw set his base price at ₹75 lakh but failed to attract bids from franchises and went unsold at the auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The right-handed batsman is currently representing Mumbai in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 33 runs off 20 balls in the opening match against Goa. Mumbai will take on Maharashtra on Wednesday, November 27. Shaw will look to prove his worth with runs in the next match.
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