Prithvi Shaw’s cricketing journey in 2024 has been anything but smooth, marked by repeated setbacks that have placed his career under scrutiny. Once touted as the future of Indian cricket, Shaw has slipped down the pecking order as other young talents have surged ahead through consistent performances on both domestic and international stages.

The warning signs began in October 2024 during the Ranji Trophy’s first phase, where Shaw’s lacklustre form saw him score only 59 runs across four innings. Consequently, the Mumbai selectors made the tough decision to omit him from the squad—a move widely seen as a message regarding his ongoing issues with fitness and discipline.

Adding to his woes, Shaw went unsold during the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in November, despite his name being presented twice at a base price of INR 75 lakh. This snub highlighted the growing scepticism surrounding his reliability, even among IPL franchises. Shaw’s most recent opportunity came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2024), where he played under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy.

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While he made a solid impact in the quarter-final with a quickfire 49 off 26 balls against Vidarbha, his performances in the semi-final and final were disappointing, scoring just 8 and 10 runs respectively.

Reflecting on Shaw’s potential, Shreyas Iyer offered both praise and constructive criticism. “He’s a God-gifted player with immense talent. But talent alone isn’t enough—his work ethic needs improvement,” Iyer remarked.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain expressed his belief that Shaw has the tools to succeed but emphasized that it is up to the batter to recognize and address his shortcomings. “You can’t force someone at this level. Every professional knows what they need to do, and he’s no exception. Shaw must sit down, reflect, and figure things out for himself,” Iyer told Cricbuzz.

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Iyer’s comments underline the importance of self-discipline and accountability in professional sports. While Shaw has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, his inconsistent performances and off-field issues have hindered his progress. With a focus on refining his work ethic and a clear plan for his career, Shaw could rediscover the batting form that once made him one of India’s brightest prospects. However, the onus remains firmly on him to turn potential into performance and reclaim his place on cricket’s big stage.