Prithvi Shaw falls for another duck as poor run continues after going unsold in IPL auction

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as India’s next batting prodigy after scoring a century on his Test debut at 19, finds himself on increasingly shaky ground as his domestic performances fail to inspire a national comeback. The 25-year-old opener registered his second duck in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 tournament, compounding his recent struggles.

Opening the innings for Mumbai against Services in Hyderabad, Shaw was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first over by PS Poonia. This marked another disappointing outing in a season that has seen him muster only 63 runs across four innings, including two ducks, 23 against Kerala, and 40 against Nagaland.

Shaw’s form dip in SMAT follows a turbulent few months. Earlier in October, he was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad for their match against Tripura, reportedly due to fitness and disciplinary issues. According to reports, he was dropped for irregular attendance at training sessions and concerns over his weight.



Adding to his challenges, Shaw went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, despite a modest base price of ₹75 lakh. This is a stark contrast to his early career trajectory when, in 2018, the ICC named him one of the top five breakout stars in men’s cricket.

However, Shaw’s career has been marred by inconsistency and off-field issues. A doping ban in 2019 sidelined him for several months, and questions about his fitness and commitment have lingered ever since.

Once a player who showed immense promise, with strokes that drew comparisons to some of the greats, Shaw now faces an uphill battle to revive his career. While talent is not in question, his recent performances raise concerns about his ability to fulfil his potential.

With SMAT 2024 entering a critical phase, Shaw will need to turn things around quickly to remain relevant in Mumbai’s plans and, more importantly, to rekindle his hopes of wearing the Indian jersey again. For now, the journey back to the top appears fraught with challenges for the once-celebrated young talent.