Prithvi Shaw has never lacked belief. The Mumbai-born opener, once seen as one of India’s brightest young talents, is now setting his sights on an India comeback as he prepares for IPL 2026 with Delhi Capitals.
It has been a turbulent phase in Shaw’s career. Fitness and discipline concerns overshadowed his performances, leading to him going unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He was also dropped from the Mumbai side, prompting a move to Maharashtra in a bid to reset his career.
That decision appears to have paid off. Shaw rediscovered his rhythm in domestic cricket, smashing a stunning double century in the Ranji Trophy against Chandigarh, a knock that signalled a return to form and put him back on the radar.
BACK WITH PURPOSE AT DELHI CAPITALS
Shaw returns to a franchise he represented for seven seasons since 2018. After missing out last year, the move marks a fresh start for the 26-year-old, who now arrives with renewed motivation.
“If I don’t think about a comeback, then what’s the point? That’s why I am playing. Who doesn’t want to play for India? You have to be there, and I am working towards that,” Shaw said ahead of the season.
The batter also opened up about the break he took away from the game, describing it as a necessary reset rather than a setback.
“I enjoyed my life in the last year. Went to a couple of destinations to keep my mind fresh. Then I came back. The same routine, practised, worked hard, be it my training or batting. Whatever I used to do, I started doing it 3x more. I think it was a good break for me. I don’t see it as a step back, but it was a needed break, so I get myself back stronger mentally.”
WORK ETHIC UNDER FOCUS
Questions around Shaw’s discipline had been publicly addressed as well. Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer had underlined the need for consistency after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.
“He needs to get his work ethic right, and if he does that, the sky is the limit for him. We can’t babysit anyone, right? Every professional who is playing at this level, they need to know what they should be doing. He has to focus, sit back, put a thinking cap on, and figure it out for himself.”
Shaw himself acknowledged that expectations remain high, especially as an opening batter in the IPL.
“The last few years in the IPL has not been great for me. Not really bad, not really good. But obviously people do expect a lot especially when it comes to an opening batter. You have to give 100 per cent in practice as well. That is what reflects in the match.”
Off the field, Shaw also has reason to celebrate. He recently announced his engagement to Akriti Agarwal, with Delhi Capitals among those congratulating him, underlining the strong bond he shares with the franchise.
Now, with a fresh start at Maharashtra, a return to Delhi Capitals and a renewed mindset, Shaw heads into IPL 2026 with a clear goal to turn promise back into performance and push for a place in India’s dressing room.
