New Delhi, March 25: After missing the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he went unsold during the IPL 2025 auction, Prithvi Shaw is standing
at yet another crossroads in his career. However, this time, there is a sense of clarity, acceptance, and renewed hunger from the 27-year-old cricketer as he wants to redeem himself.
After going unsold initially in the IPL 2026 auction, Shaw earned a return to Delhi Capitals for ₹75 lakh in the accelerated phase, marking a reunion with the franchise where his IPL journey began in 2018. Having been released after the 2024 season, the opportunity represents both redemption and unfinished business.
Ahead of IPL 2026, the Delhi Capitals batter addressed the media with a composed outlook, calling the upcoming season a "fresh start" as he looks to rebuild his career and push for an India comeback.
"It's a fresh start. whatever happened earlier are good memories, but from here, it's all about beginning well," Shaw said during the interaction on Wednesday (March 25).
Once hailed as Indian cricket's next big thing after leading the U19 team to World Cup glory in Australia in 2018, the Mumbaikar's career has seen dramatic highs and difficult lows. From early international success to injuries, form slumps, and off-field controversies, the Mumbai batter has endured a turbulent journey in the last seven years.
Yet, through it all, Shaw insists his self-belief has remained intact. "I have never considered myself weak. Even if others didn't believe, I always believed in myself," he said, reflecting on the past few years where he returned to domestic cricket and worked hard to regain consistency.
That belief is now backed by an even stronger work ethic. Shaw revealed that his preparation ahead of IPL 2026 has reached new levels, driven by a singular goal-returning to the Indian team.
"That's why I am playing-to come back to the Indian team. The amount of hard work I used to do earlier, I think I do it three times more now. I try to give 200% every day, not just on match days but also in practice," he said.
Beyond cricket, Shaw also opened up about a significant personal milestone-his engagement to actor Akriti Agarwal on March 8, 2026. While he admitted he is still adjusting to this new phase of life, he credited his partner for bringing stability and emotional balance.
"She has been my lucky charm. we both worked hard to build this relationship. When you have someone who understands you, it helps a lot," he shared candidly.
The 26-year-old also spoke about the importance of mental strength, especially after navigating a challenging phase in his career.
"Life is a challenge. You have to accept it. When you go through tough patches, you need to be mentally strong. I used to take a lot of stress, but now I deal with it with a smile," Shaw said, underlining a more mature perspective shaped by experience.
As Delhi Capitals gear up for the new season, Shaw finds himself in a competitive environment with several options for the opening slot. With KL Rahul likely to open, the battle for places is intense-but Shaw is embracing it rather than resisting it.
"I haven't thought about whether I will open or not. Whoever opens should do well and help the team win," he said, reinforcing a team-first approach.
He acknowledged that competition is now an unavoidable aspect of modern cricket.
"Whether it's Ranji Trophy, IPL, or India A, there will always be competition. it's part of the game," he added.
Shaw also addressed the weight of expectations-something he has carried since his teenage years. While fans and franchises have often expected him to deliver consistently, he pointed out the unpredictable nature of cricket.
"You can't promise anything. It could be a quick 50 or a zero. My mindset is to go out and give my best every time," he explained.
Despite the ups and downs, Shaw believes he has handled the challenges with resilience and perspective.
"Whatever phases came, I handled them with a smile. If you make mistakes, you learn from them. As you grow, you understand things better," he said.
Now, with a fresh season, renewed mindset, and a second chance at Delhi Capitals, Prithvi Shaw is ready to script what could be the most defining chapter of his career.
For a player once seen as a prodigy and now battling to reclaim his place, IPL 2026 is more than just another tournament-it is an opportunity to prove that the promise still remains.
