'No IPL contract, no Vijay Hazare trophy': Former cricketer talks about 'fallen' opener Prithvi Shaw's career downslide

Prithvi Shaw remains in the spotlight, but not for positive reasons. His latest setback came when the Mumbai selectors chose not to include him in the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. Concerns about his fitness, lifestyle choices, and attitude have led decision-makers to lose interest in his potential. Additionally, none of the ten franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) placed bids for him, resulting in the player going unsold during the mega auction.

Now, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has responded to the ongoing reports regarding Prithvi Shaw, stating that the young batter will need to make changes in order to regain his form.

Aakash Chopra said he read somewhere that Prithvi Shaw was missing training sessions and was returning to the hotel at 6 am after late night parties. He also revealed that Prithvi Shaw has plenty of issues ranging from fitness to work ethics.

The former cricketer also mentioned that he discussed Shaw's situation with his daughter. 

“I was telling my daughter that he won the World Cup for the country when he was 19. He is the only Indian cricketer to score a hundred on debut in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Test cricket. He got an IPL contract of over 1 crore for the first time, and the second one was more than 7 crore. He was retained and played for three years. Now no IPL contract no Vijay Hazare trophy. He is nowhere now. He achieved everything at a small age, but his downfall has been fast and loud,” he added.

Aakash Chopra remains hopeful for Prithvi Shaw's future, as he said, “He is a fallen hero, and I hope there is a turnaround. He has the age by his side and is very talented.

He further added, Prithivi Shaw has talent but needs personality to save his career. Warning him for his career, the former cricketer said, "things are getting out of hand at an alarming rate, and getting dropped from the Mumbai team is not a good thing. The future would be tough for him.

He needs to get fit, and his story is not good, as everyone is talking against him. He doesn’t come to training, doesn’t take net sessions seriously and returns at 6 am. Well done, MCA, for not revealing everything. But what has happened is not good,” Aakash added. 

Meanwhile, Shaw last played for India in July 2021, during an ODI series against Sri Lanka. He was added to India's Test squad against England the month before and then against New Zealand in early 2023, but that was the closest Shaw came to ever playing for India again.