The Shaw'stopper: All you want to know about maverick cricketer Prithvi Shaw’s rollercoaster career

Prithvi Shaw is known as an immensely talented cricketer. However, the gifted Mumbai maverick has endured a turbulent career so far.

Shaw first came to the limelight by winning the U-19 World Cup as a captain. Subsequently, he also justified his billing in the Indian team by having a splendid international debut with a magnificent century.

However, he lost his way to be a regular member in Team India ranks due to inconsistent batting, frequent injury worries and allegedly rubbing people the wrong way with his attitude. The 23-year flamboyant opener seems to have the life membership with controversies and a rollercoaster career.

Off-late Shaw was on the radar of the selectors again by playing a marathon innings of 379 runs from just 383 balls in a Ranji Trophy tie for Mumbai against Assam. It is the second-highest score in the prestigious domestic tournament behind Bhausaheb Nimbalkar (443). Based on the brilliant knock, Shaw deservingly earned a call-up to India’s T20 side against the visiting New Zealand side. However, he didn’t get a chance in the playing XI.

With the latest controversies involving him like the scuffle with fans for refusing a selfie and alleged Instagram post with his rumoured girlfriend, Shaw is hogging limelight for all the wrong reasons. The talented cricketer is losing focus in the process which will distract him from his career goal.

Shaw is nothing new to controversies. Earlier, he was under scanner for his less than ideal lifestyle which is against the making of an international level cricketer. He had also come under scrutiny from the team management for his lack of effort. Reports have also emerged about his unruly behavior in the past. In February 2019, his urine sample sent for testing showed traces of Terbutaline which is a banned substance. Subsequently, he was slapped with a backdated ban for eight months.

Shaw is often compared with former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli who squandered his immense talent due to unruly behaviour and indiscipline. Shaw has seen enough ups and downs in his short career. It’s up to him now to exploit his potential fully and stick with the discipline part to resurrect his international career.

Flashes of brilliance

During a Harris Shield match in 2012, Shaw blasted 546 runs in an innings. The explosive knock earned him praise from no other than his idol Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

Shaw in his debut for Mumbai scored a quickfire century in the second innings against Tamil Nadu to win his team the match in 2017.

In 2018, Shaw captained the Indian U-19 team to the World Cup triumph under the guidance of Rahul Dravid.

Shaw made his senior Test debut against the West Indies in 2018 and scored a fluent century. He followed up the knock with a brisk 70 of just 53 balls.