Uncapped Indian batter Shashank Singh, who will play for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, has come out in support of Prithvi Shaw, believing that the out-of-favour opener can make a strong comeback if he fine-tunes certain aspects of his game.
Shaw, once considered India’s next big batting sensation, made headlines when he scored a century on Test debut in 2018. However, the 25-year-old has seen a sharp decline in form and opportunities, leading to his omission from Mumbai’s domestic squads and going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Shashank, who has played alongside Shaw at the club level in Mumbai, firmly believes that India hasn’t seen a batter of Shaw’s potential in a long time.
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“If He Modifies a Few Things, No One Comes Close to Him”
Speaking to journalist Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel, Shashank lauded Shaw’s talent and backed him to return stronger.
“Yashasvi (Jaiswal) for sure ek bada naam hai (is a big name). Shubman (Gill) is a very talented player. There’s Prithvi Shaw. Agar vo back to basics aa jaye toh I think koi bhi near nahi hai uske.”
The Punjab Kings all-rounder stressed that Shaw has all the skills needed to succeed but might need to tweak his work ethic, fitness, and discipline to get back to the top.
“I have known him for 13 years. We have played club cricket together in Mumbai. He has a different perspective on things. He knows what is right and what is wrong. But if he changes his point of view a little, then I think usse bada koi cheej he nahi hai (there’s no one bigger than him).”
“Shaw is Already Doing the Hard Work, Just Needs Small Adjustments”
Despite speculation around Shaw’s fitness and discipline, Shashank refuted claims that he lacks commitment.
“If someone tells me that he doesn’t work on his fitness, I won’t believe it. He plays Ranji Trophy, T20s, one-days, IPL… and he has performed and won matches for his teams. So, he must be working hard. But maybe, if he modifies certain things—like sleeping earlier, making better food choices—it will help him.”
“He already has top people advising him. But if he accepts those suggestions and makes small changes, toh mere khayal se usse badi cheej Indian cricket mein koi nahi hogi (then I don’t think there will be a bigger player in Indian cricket than him).”
Prithvi Shaw’s Struggles: A Timeline
Shaw’s career has seen numerous ups and downs. After his stunning Test debut in 2018, injuries, inconsistent form, and off-field concerns halted his progress.
- Dropped from India’s Test squad after 2020-21 Australia tour
- Axed from Mumbai’s Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy squads in 2024
- Last competitive match: December 15, 2024, vs Madhya Pradesh
- Went unsold in IPL 2025 mega auction
With backing from fellow cricketers like Shashank Singh, will Shaw be able to script a sensational comeback? Fans will be hoping to see the talented right-hander back at his best soon!
