Prithvi Shaw has had a rollercoaster ride in his cricketing career. Once called a prodigy, this young cricketer experienced several challenges that became a hurdle in fully exploiting his potential. In this blog post, we will go through Shaw's career to try and understand the reasons behind his struggle and what that finally turns out to be for Indian cricket.
The Rise of Prithvi Shaw: He could hardly put a foot wrong as the Mumbaikar rose to stardom with his sporadic performances.
Prithvi Shaw arrived with a big bang. Everybody knew about him through some breath-taking performances during his age-group cricket days, and of course the record-breaking debut in Ranji Trophy was there. He was undeniably talented and comparable to legends such as Sachin Tendulkar. His century on debut against West Indies in 2018 accelerated further the hype around Shaw as he became the youngest Indian to score a century on debut.
The Struggle Begins
It has not been all rosy for Shaw ever since that first success. His form was erratic, never really managing to cement his place in the Indian team. He has had his share of injuries, but there is more to it than what meets the eye.
One of the talking points in Shaw's technique has been his struggles against good fast bowling. He has a tendency to play with hard hands, and also fiddle outside off-stump, both of which opposition bowlers have laid bare. Because of these chinks, frequent dismissals have happened, begging the question whether he has the wherewithal to adapt and improve at the highest level.
Off-Field Controversies
Off-field issues have also been a part of Shaw's career. In 2019, he got suspended for eight months owing to a doping violation. This was a setback that had quite levelled, apart from hitting his image, his momentum as well. These incidents raise questions over focus and commitment towards the game, making it hard for fans and selectors alike to repose their full faith in him.
The IPL Conundrum:
The IPL turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Shaw. Yes, he has turned up with glimpses of brilliance, but the performance graphs remained inconsistent. For every match-winning knock, several low scores indicated that he struggled with consistency.
The opportunity to represent Delhi Capitals has put Shaw onto the big stage, and his inability to deliver consistently frustrates fans and experts. It is highly pressurized in the IPL and hence exposes the mental and technical aspects of his game, which still has a lot to improve on.
What Next for Prithvi Shaw?
Though full of challenges, possibly, the story of Prithvi Shaw is far from over. At 24, he still has time up his sleeve to turn things around. But he needs telling changes, on and off field.
Technical Refinement: Shaw needs to get his technique in order, particularly against fast bowlers. Guidance from retired cricketers or coaches who have dealt with similar problems might be of use. If he is going to succeed at the highest level, much more security on his defensive technique and better shot selection are required.
Mental Toughness: This is a mental game as much as it is physical. Much mental strengthening is to be undertaken in the case of Shaw, which will fortify him for the international challenge. This could include work with a sports psychologist in order to develop confidence and focus.
The answer is simple: consistency in domestic cricket is one thing Shaw should focus on before thinking of a permanent spot in the national team. He has the best platform in Ranji Trophy and several other domestic tournaments to hone his skills and prove his worth.
Distractibility: Off-field distractions nibbled at Shaw's career. Now, if he focuses on the game and keeps himself aloof from unnecessary controversies, it will help him in his long-term prospects.
A Cautionary Tale for Young Cricketers
Prithvi Shaw's case was more of a cautionary tale for young cricketers: only talent cannot make it big in the game. Hard work, discipline, and learning from the pitfalls is what does. His story told that the road to becoming successful in cricket is long and arduous, until people learn and evolve. It will be then whom they will reach at the top.
Conclusion
Prithvi Shaw's cricketing career sadly has been a heady cocktail of promise and disappointment. He gave enough flashes of brilliance but was too inconsistent. His off-field issues meant that he could never be the player everybody else thought he should be. However, all is yet not lost for Shaw. If he gets the right mindset and approach in place, that potential still could prove to do something special for Indian cricket.
As fans, one only hopes Shaw learns from his mistakes and bounces back. Indian cricket has always thrived on young talent, and it would be a shame to see so much promise not live up to its potential.
He has got an incredible story to tell in his rise to cricketing fame. Consistency just hasn't been kind to Prithvi Shaw, and what further lies ahead for this brilliant talent. What further lies ahead will essentially be an experience riddled with lessons and loads of practical advice regarding how Shaw could turn things around in his career.
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