Shashank Singh’s remarks about Prithvi Shaw reflect a growing sentiment in Indian cricket — that Shaw remains an unpolished diamond who needs to rediscover his discipline and focus to fulfill his enormous potential. Once hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket after leading the U-19 team to World Cup victory in 2018 and scoring a blistering century on Test debut against the West Indies, Shaw’s career trajectory has since taken a troubling downturn. Off-field controversies, inconsistent performances, and fitness concerns have overshadowed his undeniable talent. His recent failure to secure a bid in the IPL 2025 auction was a stark reminder of how far he has fallen from his once-promising path.
Shashank, who has known Shaw for over a decade from their Mumbai cricketing days, didn’t hold back in his assessment during an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show. When asked who he believed could emerge as the next major star for Indian cricket, Shashank immediately pointed to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill — two young players who have already begun to establish themselves on the international stage. However, he also brought up Shaw, emphasizing that the Mumbai batter still has the talent and potential to achieve greatness if he returns to basics and makes some crucial changes to his approach.
“Yashasvi for sure, he’s a big name. Shubman Gill is another, he’s a very talented player. Prithvi Shaw too, if he can return to doing his basics, I think he can achieve anything. I know him since the last 13 years, I used to play with him in Bombay (Mumbai),” Shashank said, highlighting the long-standing camaraderie between the two.
What stood out most in Shashank’s comments was his honest take on Shaw’s mindset. He mentioned that Shaw has “different perspectives about things” — a diplomatic way of suggesting that the young cricketer’s attitude toward certain aspects of his career, such as fitness, work ethic, and discipline, may be holding him back. Shashank acknowledged that Shaw may already be working on these areas but suggested that a significant mindset shift could be the key to unlocking his full potential.
“I know him since I’ve played club cricket with him in Bombay. If you ask me what’s wrong with him, he has different perspectives about things. If he changes his point of views regarding a few of those things, like work ethics, fitness, and discipline. Maybe he is working on improving those, but if he can modify some of those aspects, he can become even better,” Shashank explained.
The mention of fitness and discipline echoes the criticism Shaw has faced in the past. Despite his explosive batting ability — evident in his record-breaking performances in domestic cricket and his early IPL outings — fitness concerns have repeatedly hampered his progress. His struggles during the Australian tour in 2020, where technical flaws in his batting were ruthlessly exposed, further derailed his confidence and form. Shaw did bounce back temporarily, smashing a record-breaking 827 runs in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy at a jaw-dropping average of 165.40, but his inconsistency and off-field distractions have kept him from cementing a place in the Indian setup.
Shashank’s comments reflect a broader feeling among cricketing experts and fans alike — that Shaw’s story doesn’t have to end here. He’s still young, and cricket has witnessed numerous redemption arcs before. Players like Hardik Pandya, who transformed himself after injury setbacks, and Dinesh Karthik, who reinvented his game to make a dramatic late-career return to the Indian T20 squad, serve as examples of how determination and the right mindset can reignite a stalled career.
For Shaw, the immediate goal would be to work on his fitness and discipline while continuing to pile on runs in domestic cricket. The competition for spots in the Indian team has never been tougher, with emerging stars like Jaiswal, Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and even Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings. Shaw must prove that he can not only match their performances but also bring consistency and reliability to his game — qualities that selectors value more than occasional flashes of brilliance.
It’s also worth noting that Shaw still has his share of supporters within the cricketing community. Ricky Ponting, who coached him at Delhi Capitals, previously praised his raw talent, comparing his batting style to that of Virender Sehwag. Ponting, however, also stressed that Shaw’s success would depend on his work ethic and ability to stay focused. Shashank’s latest comments only reinforce that sentiment — talent alone won’t be enough to carry Shaw back to the top.
The coming months could be decisive for Shaw. If he takes the criticism constructively and channels it into improving his fitness, refining his technique, and building a more disciplined approach to the game, he could still script one of Indian cricket’s greatest comeback stories. Shaw’s journey is far from over — but the next chapter depends entirely on him.
