Prithvi Shaw's last appearance for India was in July 2021.
Prithvi Shaw’s career trajectory remains one of Indian cricket's most discussed "what if" stories, serving as a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change at the highest level.
Shaw burst onto the international scene in 2018, scoring a blistering century on his Test debut against the West Indies at just 18 years old. His attacking strokeplay drew immediate comparisons to legendary batters like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
However, his momentum was severely disrupted in 2019 when he served an eight-month backdated suspension after testing positive for Terbutaline, a prohibited substance he accidentally consumed via a cough syrup. This hiatus, combined with subsequent fitness issues and technical vulnerabilities exposed during the 2020/21 tour of Australia, saw him lose his spot in the national side.
Now 26, Shaw has shifted his approach. While India comeback remains a long-term goal, he emphasized that he is deliberately avoiding thinking too far ahead, choosing instead to focus entirely on winning domestic games and maintaining his routine.
“There is always a thought at the back of my mind (about India comeback). But as much as I have experienced, I should not think so much ahead. Like I am giving you an interview now. After this, I will go to the room and then think about what to do," Shaw said while speaking to the media in Kolkata, after Maharashtra’s win over Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
Prithvi Shaw’s immediate focus remains firmly on finding batting consistency as he captains the Maharashtra cricket team. The right-hander has registered just two fifties in seven innings this Ranji Trophy season.
“I feel in matches, some innings will go badly and some will go well. After I get out, I don’t feel I should take much tension because there were some good balls and in some, I have got out playing my own shots," Shaw stated.
“So I feel in all these innings, there is no problem with the start. The batting is good; nothing is going wrong. It is just a matter of one innings," he added.
The transition to Maharashtra state cricket team has proven to be a refreshing new chapter for Shaw. Following his departure from Mumbai, he has embraced the switch, finding comfort in the close proximity of Pune to his hometown and his existing camaraderie with key teammates.
“It is a very good phase. I feel Mumbai and Pune aren’t too far apart. There is a difference of 1.5 to 2 hours and I know a lot of players. Ritu (Gaikwad), Ankit (Bawne). There are a lot of players with whom I have played and there is a good bond," Shaw remarked.