Prithvi Shaw Admits No Big Cricketer Except Rishabh Pant Checked Up on Him During Tough Times

Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant shared the pitch during their time together at Delhi Capitals in the IPL, and the Indian Test team.

Prithvi Shaw Admits No Big Cricketer Except Rishabh Pant Checked Up on Him During Tough Times

Prithvi Shaw revealed that Rishabh Pant contacted him during the challenging phase of his career. (via India Today)

Out-of-favor Indian opener and ex-Delhi Capitals star Prithvi Shaw surprisingly disclosed that Rishabh Pant was the only cricketer who contacted and supported him, during the challenging phase of the career. Shaw is currently navigating a difficult phase and is striving to regain his best form.

The 25-year-old right-handed batter, who was once touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar, failed to live up to the expectations. He rose to fame in 2018, after having guided the Indian Under-19 side to World Cup glory. As the captain of the young Indian U-19 side, the tournament featured many prominent names, including current Indian test captain Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. 

Prithvi Shaw was then picked up by Delhi Capitals at the 2018 IPL auction, where he amassed over 1800 runs in 79 apperances, hitting 14 half-centuries. Shaw’s strong IPL and domestic performances earned him a Test debut for India in October 2018, against the West Indies. In five Test matches, he scored 339 runs at an average of 42.37, with one century and two fifties to his name.

At the height of his career, Prithvi Shaw was recognized as an ICC breakout star in 2018. However, his form soon declined in 2020-21 with a string of low scores and on-field controversies, including an eight-month doping ban, leading to his exclusion from the Indian team.

Since then, the 25-year-old’s career has spiraled downwards. Last year, fitness concerns and disciplinary issues led to his removal from Mumbai’s domestic team. Prithvi Shaw even went unsold at the 2025 IPL auction, leaving him in a difficult position.

Prithvi Shaw most recently opened up about the troubled phase of his career in an interview with News24, revealing that only Rishabh Pant has consistently offered him support through his many setbacks.

He shared that the Indian wicket-keeper still reaches out whenever he senses something is amiss. Shaw and Rishabh Pant shared the pitch during their time together with Delhi Capitals, in the IPL, from 2018 to 2024.

Rishabh Pant keeps on contacting me, whenever he feels something is wrong.

Beyond the support from Pant, Prithvi Shaw revealed that Sachin Tendulkar has also provided him with considerable assistance over the years, largely due to his close friendship with Tendulkar’s son, Arjun Tendulkar.

He also admitted to making poor career choices and falling into bad company, which caused his focus to shift away from cricket. Moreover, he disclosed that his practice sessions, which once lasted eight hours, now last only four hours a day, explaining the drop in form:

I have taken a lot of wrong decisions in life. I started giving less time to cricket. I used to bat for 3-4 hours in nets… I admit that there was a distraction.

Despite the hardships, Prithvi Shaw is striving to make a comeback. He most recently captured headlines after requesting for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to switch domestic allegiance. 

Prithvi Shaw, After Quitting Mumbai Cricket, Reportedly Set to Play for Maharashtra 

Days after receiving a green light and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to quit the team, Prithvi Shaw looks set to embark on a new domestic cricketing journey. The 25-year-old is likely to join Maharashtra, ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. 

Prithvi Shaw leave Mumbai, join Maharashtra
Prithvi Shaw is rumored to join Maharashtra state team, after having left Mumbai. (via Times of India)

After having ended his nine-year association with Mumbai cricket, Shaw is reportedly on his way to join Maharashtra as a professional for the side. The right-handed opener, boasting over 4000 first-class runs, could partner with Ruturaj Gaikwad as a new opening pair for Maharashtra. While officials are yet to comment, multiple sources confirm Shaw’s move to the state is expected within one to two weeks.

Despite being a part of Mumbai’s victorious 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, Prithvi Shaw was left out of the state team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy. He was even advised by the coaches to lose weight and reduce body fat to regain his spot.