Mumbai-based cricketer Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a rising star in Indian cricket, failed to attract any buyers at the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. This surprising outcome has sparked discussions in the cricketing fraternity, with Shaw’s former coach, Jawala Singh, offering insights into the challenges that led to this development.
Shaw, who captained India to victory in the U-19 World Cup in 2018, had been a consistent member of the Delhi Capitals (DC) squad since his debut in the same year. Over seven seasons, he amassed 1,892 runs in 79 matches for the franchise. Despite this, the team chose not to retain him ahead of the auction, and his name went unsold during the two-day event.
Jawala Singh, who coached Shaw from 2015 to 2017, cited inconsistency and work ethic as major reasons for the batter’s struggles. Reflecting on Shaw’s journey, Singh emphasized the importance of discipline and a strong work ethic in sustaining a successful cricketing career.
“Talent is just a seed; to make it a tree, consistency is very important in that journey. That consistency comes from your lifestyle, work ethic, and discipline. Shaw made a great start to his career, but to stay at the top, one must constantly refine their game, as legends like Sachin Tendulkar did,” Singh explained.
He also compared Shaw’s career trajectory to that of another prodigy, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has seen remarkable success due to his focused approach and hard work.
Jaiswal, another of Singh’s protégés, has been climbing the ranks in international cricket. The 22-year-old batter recently moved to the No. 2 spot in the ICC Test rankings after scoring a stellar 161 runs in the second innings of the first Test against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Singh attributed Jaiswal’s success to his excellent work ethic and dedication.
“Yashasvi knows what to do and works incredibly hard. That’s the main difference between him and Shaw. Players fail when they deviate from the process,” Singh noted.
Shaw’s failure to secure a spot in the IPL raises questions about his future in competitive cricket. While his natural talent is undeniable, experts and former coaches believe that a renewed focus on discipline, fitness, and mental toughness could help him revive his career.
As Shaw reflects on his next steps, the cricketing world will keenly watch how he navigates this critical phase of his career.
