Approximately 11 years ago, Prithvi Shaw's name created a significant impact within the Indian cricket community. Wherever he played, whether in the Harris Shield or the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, he not only scored runs but amassed them in abundance. He was heralded as the next major talent in Indian cricket, often compared to legends like Sachin Tendulkar, with some even describing him as a blend of Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Virender Sehwag. His talent was undeniable. In 2018, under his leadership, India clinched the Under-19 World Cup, leading many to believe that Indian cricket had found its forthcoming batting sensation.

Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative has drastically changed. In the span of these seven years, Shaw's ascent to prominence was matched by an equally swift decline. Just months after celebrating his World Cup victory, Shaw's reputation soared even higher when he made a remarkable debut for India, scoring a century in his first Test match against the West Indies in Rajkot. The prevailing sentiment within the Indian cricket establishment was that he was destined to remain a fixture in the team for years to come.

Alongside Shaw in the 2018 Indian team were several young players who have since established themselves successfully. Shubman Gill serves as the vice-captain of the Indian team and is anticipated to take on the captaincy soon, while Arshdeep Singh has emerged as India's premier T20I bowler, arguably surpassing even Jasprit Bumrah. Riyan Parag is also on an upward trajectory, currently captaining the Rajasthan Royals in the early matches of IPL 2025 and is expected to secure a permanent spot in India's T20 squad. In stark contrast, Shaw has seemingly vanished from the scene, prompting the question: What led to his dramatic fall from grace?

At some point between that World Cup and the present, he seems to have lost his way. The specifics are unclear to me, and I do not claim to know him personally. However, it is evident that he has experienced a decline. His physical condition has deteriorated, and he is not as fit as he once was. He made his debut before Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Riyan Parag and even scored a century in his first match. Those players now look at him and think, "Look how far ahead he was," as noted by renowned cricket anchor and broadcaster Tanay Tiwari on The Raj Shamani podcast.

"It is challenging to pinpoint the exact issue. What is apparent is the decrease in runs and fitness levels. His skills remain intact; they do not simply disappear. He was naturally gifted and has developed his abilities over many years. However, something seems to have changed during this period, and the effects are now visible. Reports from within the team indicate that he has not been attending fielding practices or fulfilling the team's expectations. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope he makes a comeback. He still has time to rise again and take action."

Prithvi Shaw was told not to go the Vinod Kambli way

Prithvi Shaw has been cautioned against following the path of Vinod Kambli. Shaw's decline has led to public speculation that he might become the next Kambli in Indian cricket. Kambli, who once showcased immense talent and had a remarkable start to his career, quickly faded from prominence. He and Sachin Tendulkar began their careers simultaneously, but while Tendulkar became one of the greatest batsmen in Indian cricket history, Kambli lost his way. In contrast to Kambli, Shaw is still young. At just 25, he has his whole future ahead of him, and there is hope that he will emerge from this challenging phase even stronger.

"Pretty similar trajectories. I hope he doesn't go down that road. I hope he stages a comeback. But what happened with him [Vinod Kambli], a lot of people draw parallels because he and Sachin were both very talented. I can't claim to say that I have seen him batting because I was growing up. But I have heard, and I have seen clips, of very talented and very skilled players. Everyone said that Sachin was the hardworking one and Kambli had all the talent, but in the longer one, hard work beats talent," Tiwari added.

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