India batter Prithvi Shaw has opened up about the darkest phase of his cricketing journey, revealing that Rishabh Pant was the only teammate who reached out to him during his professional and personal struggles. In a candid interview with News24, Shaw admitted to losing focus, making poor life choices, and being mentally prepared for rejection after going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
“Only Rishabh Contacted Me”: Shaw’s Emotional Confession
Shaw, once hailed as the next Sachin Tendulkar, said,
“Rishabh Pant keeps on contacting me, whenever he feels something is wrong. No one else did.”
The 25-year-old revealed that Pant’s consistent check-ins helped him stay afloat during a time when most of his peers distanced themselves.
Career Setbacks and Personal Struggles
- Dropped from Team India in 2021
- Axed from Mumbai’s Ranji squad in 2024 over fitness concerns
- Ignored in IPL 2025 auction, despite past promise
- Battled emotional distress after the death of his grandfather
- Admitted to distractions and wrong company, which derailed his discipline
“I used to practice 8 hours a day. Now it’s 4. I made wrong friends. I got off-track,” Shaw confessed.
Road to Redemption
Shaw has now sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association to switch state teams in a bid to revive his domestic career. He believes a fresh start under a new association could help him regain form and focus.
Meanwhile, Pant—recovering from his own injury setbacks—has emerged as a pillar of support, showcasing the strength of their bond since their U-19 days.
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