In the high-octane world of Indian cricket, few stories have been as polarising as that of Prithvi Shaw. From being hailed as a "prodigy" who combined the traits of Tendulkar, Lara, and Sehwag, to facing the crushing reality of going unsold in an IPL auction and being dropped by his home state, Mumbai—Shaw has seen it all by the age of 26.

But as the IPL 2026 season kicks off, a rejuvenated Shaw is speaking out. His message is clear: the past is history, and the focus is now on a "200% effort" comeback.

The Fall: "Wrong Decisions and Distractions"

For the first time, Shaw has been candid about the factors that led to his decline. Speaking ahead of Delhi Capitals' opening fixtures, he admitted that early fame brought distractions that pulled him away from the rigorous demands of the game.

"I made a lot of wrong decisions," Shaw admitted. "I didn’t give enough time to cricket. Lotus365 Blue I used to spend half a day on the ground, but I reduced my net sessions to just 3–4 hours. I started doing unnecessary things and made the wrong friends."

The consequences were severe:

• Dropped from Mumbai: In 2024, he was omitted from the Ranji Trophy squad on fitness and disciplinary grounds.

• IPL Snub: After seven seasons with Delhi Capitals, he went unsold in the 2025 mega-auction.

• National Exile: His last appearance for India remains a solitary T20I in July 2021.

The Turning Point: Starting from Scratch

Instead of fading into obscurity, Shaw chose the hard road. He secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Mumbai and moved to Maharashtra for the 2025-26 domestic season. It was a symbolic move—leaving the comforts of the Wankhede to prove his worth all over again.

The results followed. Shaw finished as Maharashtra's highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy with 537 runs, including a blistering double-century against Chandigarh.

"I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs," Shaw said. "I’m trying to be myself and staying away from social media. It’s peaceful when I’m not using it."

The Return to Delhi Capitals

The 2026 auction saw a homecoming, with Delhi Capitals re-acquiring him for ₹75 lakh. While the price tag is lower than his previous heights, the motivation is significantly higher.

Shaw describes this stint as a "fresh start." He has overhauled his fitness routine, working with a personal trainer and dietician for the last several months. His focus has shifted from quantity of practice to quality.

Key Takeaways from Shaw’s New Outlook:

1. Present-Mindedness: "I used to keep targets, but when you can't achieve them, you feel more pressure. I like to be in the present."

2. No Sympathy Needed: Shaw was blunt about the lack of support during his tough times, noting that almost no one from the cricket fraternity reached out. "It’s fine. I don’t want anyone’s sympathy. My family and a few close friends were enough."

3. The "200%" Rule: "If I am on the ground, I give 100%, or I don't come to the ground at all. Now, I feel I’m giving 200% to make that India comeback."

"Cricket is My Passion"

Despite the competition—with nearly ten openers vying for a spot in the national side—Shaw remains undeterred. He is no longer the teenager burdened by the "next big thing" tag; he is a veteran of the grind who has learned that self-belief is the only currency that matters.

"Humans make mistakes. I have also made mistakes. That’s history," Shaw concluded. "I love coming to the ground. This is my passion, and no one can take this away from me."

Will the 2026 IPL be the season Prithvi Shaw finally breaks back into the Indian team? One thing is certain: he’s no longer running from his past—he’s hitting it for six.