Prithvi Shaw’s career is going through a tough phase. His downfall is hard to understand, especially when we look at how he started. Once seen as the next big star of Indian cricket, Shaw is now facing criticism from all sides—fans, experts, former players, and even current players. Many believe his career is over.

The last six months have been especially difficult for Shaw. He was dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy teams, showing how much he is struggling. At 26 years old, it seems like nothing is going right for him.

To make things worse, Shaw went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, even with a base price of ₹75 lakh. It’s surprising to see a player, once called the future of Indian cricket, now not picked by any of the 10 teams.

Shaw made a dream debut for India in October 2018 against the West Indies, scoring a century and becoming the youngest Indian to do so at just 18 years old. He was full of talent and expected to have a bright future. But his last match for India was on July 15, 2021. Since then, he has been trying hard to return to the team, but things have only gotten worse.

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Reasons Behind Shaw's Downfall

There are many reasons behind Shaw’s career struggles. His inconsistent performances have made it hard for selectors to trust him. Fitness issues have also been a big problem, with questions about whether he meets the required standards. In 2023, he was dropped from the Ranji Trophy team for the first time because of poor fitness.

Controversies have added to his troubles. Reports about his partying lifestyle have hurt his reputation. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) even claimed that Shaw often skips training and was seen partying until 6 a.m. during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Such behavior has raised serious doubts about his work ethic.

Shreyas Iyer on Shaw's Comeback

Despite his struggles, many believe Shaw can still make a comeback if he works on his weaknesses. His former teammate Shreyas Iyer has expressed confidence in Shaw’s talent.

His teammate Shreyas Iyer believes that Shaw’s talent has never been in question. However, it is his discipline and work ethic that need improvement. If Shaw can work on these aspects, there is no reason why he can’t make a comeback to the Indian team.

Shreyas Iyer said, “Prithvi Shaw also started on a great note. He’s got a great blessing of timing the ball and scoring runs at a great pace. And all of us in the team feel that he is blessed with that phenomenal talent. So, he just has to focus on his work ethic, and everything else will follow. He’s God-gifted."

Shreyas Iyer will be a key part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, following his remarkable performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. In 10 innings, Iyer amassed 526 runs with an impressive average of 70.17 and a strike rate of 106.58. His contributions included three half-centuries and two centuries, showcasing his ability to perform on the big stage.

Iyer has now solidified his place as India’s No. 4 batsman in ODIs, a position that had been a concern for the team for years. With such consistency, he is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s campaign for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.