Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the IPL 2026 auction could mark a turning point in Prithvi Shaw’s career, urging the talented opener to trust his natural ability and translate it into consistent performances. Shaw, who has been shortlisted among the 350 players set to go under the hammer in Abu Dhabi on December 16, is looking for redemption after going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction.

When asked to name a player whose absence from the auction picks would come as a major surprise, Irfan immediately mentioned Shaw. The former India cricketer described the 26-year-old as a top-quality batter whose talent, in his view, is unquestionable. According to Irfan, Shaw’s biggest challenge is not skill but consistency, something that can elevate him back into serious IPL contention.

“Prithvi Shaw is the first name that comes to my mind. A player like him has so much talent that it should reflect in his performances regularly. Whenever I watch him bat, I feel he is a top-quality player and someone who should be delivering consistently,” Irfan Pathan said while speaking on Star Sports.

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Despite missing out on an IPL contract last season, Prithvi Shaw has stayed busy in domestic cricket. He led Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where the team failed to reach the knockouts but Shaw showed encouraging signs. He scored 183 runs in the tournament at a healthy strike rate of 160.52, including a couple of impactful half-centuries. His red-ball form has also been impressive, with 470 runs in just seven innings in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, underlining his hunger for runs.

Shaw’s IPL journey so far has been limited to a single franchise, Delhi Capitals, where he enjoyed his best season in 2021. That year, he amassed 479 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 159.13, firmly establishing himself as one of the most explosive openers in the league.

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Listed in the opening set of capped batters, Shaw enters the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of INR 75 lakh. With several franchises on the lookout for an aggressive top-order option, Shaw will be hopeful that this auction offers him a fresh start and a long-awaited return to the IPL spotlight.