A series of unfortunate events in recent weeks has led Prithvi Shaw to experience another setback, as his career continues to decline in a manner reminiscent of Vinod Kambli's trajectory. Nevertheless, former national selector Jatin Paranjape is not prepared to declare this a "doomsday scenario" for the former captain of the India U-19 World Cup-winning team, asserting that Shaw requires a "complete overhaul of his mental thinking" at this juncture.

In mid-October, Shaw was excluded from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad, reportedly due to concerns regarding his weight. However, he was given an opportunity to prove his capabilities when the Mumbai selectors included him in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. Shortly thereafter, he went unsold during the IPL 2025 mega auction, despite lowering his base price from INR 2 crore to 75 lakhs. The situation deteriorated further for the young player as he struggled to recover in the domestic white-ball tournament, recording two three-ball ducks in his first four matches for Mumbai.

In a column for Sportstar, Paranjape outlined three key areas that Shaw must concentrate on to restore his standing in cricket, expressing his belief that the 25-year-old still has the potential to turn his career around.

"First, he must cultivate an organized mindset. Second, he needs to develop a structured approach to playing against spin. Third, he should adopt a systematic strategy for his fitness conditioning. Achieving organization is fundamentally crucial for his progress. This is undoubtedly a pivotal moment for him. It is not a point of no return, as he has youth on his side. At 25, he still possesses the opportunity to make a significant comeback," he stated.

'If Shaw can lose between 7 to 10 kilograms of body weight'

Paranjape grouped Shaw with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson, identifying them as the top three batters in Indian cricket currently. However, he noted that Shaw's fitness is the primary reason he ranks lower than the other two. The former Indian cricketer advised Shaw to lose between 7 to 10 kilograms to navigate the uncertainties of Indian cricket effectively.

"If I were in Prithvi's position, I would promptly assess and recognize that fitness is a critical area needing improvement. Without addressing this, his cricketing future remains in jeopardy. I would emphasize the importance of shedding 7 to 10 kilograms while maintaining strength, as this would be a significant first step. If I were him, I would spend ten days in Chennai with Ramji Srinivasan and commit the next two to three years to this transformation. The benefits would likely manifest within 45 to 60 days," he stated.

Additionally, Paranjape highlighted the necessity for Shaw to enhance his batting against spin bowlers, encouraging him to be more proactive with his footwork.

"I have frequently mentioned to him that he tends to be too lenient with his wicket, especially against spinners. Nearly every domestic spinner in India has dismissed him. He must reassess his approach to spin bowling. His overall game is not deficient; he can execute shots effortlessly on both sides of the wicket. However, by the time spin bowling is introduced, his footwork suffers due to fatigue, which relates back to his fitness," he elaborated.

Paranjape expressed confidence that if Shaw could reduce his weight and refine his skills against spinners, he would achieve great success, drawing parallels with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

"Having known him for a considerable time, I am convinced that Prithvi has a genuine passion for batting. He should strive to emulate icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who, despite their remarkable achievements, continue to play for the love of the sport. Kohli, for instance, exhibits a childlike enthusiasm on the field. That level of passion is vital."

Read Also: Rohit Sharma Backs Washington Sundar: A Bold Move in Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!