Shreyas Iyer makes a bold comment on Prithvi Shaw’s struggles with form and fitness
Prithvi Shawonce heralded as the future of Indian cricket, he is at a crossroads in his career. Regarded as a child prodigy, Shaw’s early exploits, including leading India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup and a brilliant Test debut, showed his immense potential. However, its decline has been rapid, leaving many to wonder if his career can be saved. While his talent remains undeniable, fitness issues, off-field controversies and inconsistent performances have significantly affected his reputation.
Prithvi Shaw’s domestic problems and IPL 2025 auction are received
Shaw’s domestic season in 2024 did not inspire confidence as he managed just 59 runs in four Ranji Trophy 2024-25 matches his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy The performance was equally disappointing, with 197 runs in nine matches at an average of 21.88, failing to register a single half-century. Barring a 26-ball 49 in the quarter-finals, his contributions were largely forgettable, even as Mumbai clinched the title.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 The auction further underlined his diminishing stature in Indian cricket as no franchise showed interest in acquiring him. For a player who was once seen as a future Indian captain, this fall serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sport and the price of neglecting discipline and consistency.
Strong commentary by Shreyas Iyer
Captain of Bombay Shreyas Iyera teammate of Shaw’s and the second most expensive player in the 2025 IPL auction, weighed in on Shaw’s situation with a mixture of admiration and criticism. Iyer described Shaw as “Given by God”, stressing that his talent is unmatched, but talent without the right attitude and effort has no long-term value. According to Iyer, Shaw’s work ethic remains a major concern, and despite repeated advice from teammates and coaches, he has struggled to adopt a professional mindset.
“I think that, personally, he is a player gifted by God. The amount of talent he possesses as an individual, no one has. This is true. It’s just that he needs to improve his work ethic,“Iyer was quoted by Cricbuzz.
Iyer emphasized that Shaw’s problems are not new and the batsman has managed to overcome challenges in the past. However, he firmly stated that it is Shaw’s responsibility to take charge of his career as no amount of outside guidance can replace self-motivation and discipline.
“And I’ve said it before in many of the interviews as well. He needs to get his work ethic right. And if he does, you know, the sky’s the limit for him. Can you force him to do it? I can’t force it. He has played a lot of cricket. And everyone has contributed. At the end of the day, it’s his job to go out there and figure things out for himself.” added the 30-year-old.
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Iyer’s forceful reality check
Iyer’s comments on Shaw struck a chord with cricketing circles as he bluntly stated that professionals at the highest level must take charge of their careers. “We can’t take care of anyone,” Iyer remarked, noting that Shaw must independently figure out solutions to his struggles. Iyer acknowledged Shaw’s past achievements but stressed that continuous effort is key to sustaining success in modern cricket. He noted that Shaw has received extensive advice and guidance from teammates and coaches, but that he ultimately needs to step up and work through his issues.
“We can’t take care of anybody, can we? Every professional who plays at this level, he has to know what he has to do. And he has done it in the past as well. It’s not that he hasn’t. He has to focus. He has to sit down, put on a thinking cap, and then figure it out for himself. No one can force him to do anything.” Iyer concluded.
Can Shaw revive his career?
Shaw is now at a critical juncture where his career could take a turn for the better or a further downward spiral. Despite his struggles, Shaw still has age on his side and the potential to do it again. To achieve this, he must undergo a complete transformation, focusing on fitness, perfecting his technique and building mental resilience.
Shaw must adopt the discipline necessary to compete at the highest level, looking to players who have successfully revived their careers after setbacks for inspiration. His next steps will determine whether he emerges as a redemption story or remains a cautionary tale in Indian cricket.
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