Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw has once again made headlines with his batting. Recently criticised for his poor form, Shaw gave a strong reply to his critics by playing a brilliant innings of 75 runs. This performance not only showed his talent but also proved that he can perform well even under pressure.

Prithvi Shaw scored 75 runs in just 34 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes. His strike rate was 220.59, showing his aggressive batting style. He played this brilliant innings for the Mumbai Panthers, and his performance is being praised a lot on social media. This knock not only helped his team but also boosted the morale of his fans.

There were questions about Shaw’s form in recent times, but this innings gave a strong reply to all the criticism. One of his Instagram stories went viral, which read, "They questioned his form. HE ANSWERED WITH HIS BAT. 75 (34)."

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Shaw started hitting big shots from the beginning while opening against Suryakumar Yadav’s team. Even though his opening partner Divyansh Saxena got out after scoring just one run, Shaw kept playing fearlessly. He completed his half-century in just 23 balls.

PRITHVI SHAW SMASHED 76 IN THE MUMBAI T20 LEAGUE. 💥pic.twitter.com/oh78SCU7n0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 9, 2025

Shaw was not retained by Delhi Capitals and went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He was criticised for his poor form and fitness. But with this knock, he has made a strong comeback and answered his critics.

Mumbai Panthers scored 207 runs while batting first. In reply, Triumphs Knights MNE could only score 169 runs. Siddhant Adhatharao scored 76 runs for the team, but the other batsmen did not support him. Captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 29 runs in 16 balls but was dismissed by Pratik Mishra. Pratik bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets for 30 runs in 3.5 overs. Rahul Sawant also took 2 wickets. The Triumphs Knights MNE batsmen failed to perform against the strong bowling attack.

The 2025 T20 Mumbai League ended with a bang for Prithvi Shaw as he smashed a stunning 75 runs off only 34 balls to lead the North Mumbai Panthers to a comfortable victory against Suryakumar Yadav's Triumph Knights Mumbai North East. Shaw was ably supported by Harshal Jadhav, who played a fluent inning of 46 runs, as the Panthers posted an imposing total of 208. In reply, the Triumph Knights were bowled out for 169 runs, and Shaw's side took the game comfortably.

Meanwhile, Wankhede Stadium threw up a treat for spectators as Eagle Thane Strikers beat ARCS Andheri and SOBO Mumbai Falcons overcame Aakash Tigers MWS. These wins brought the league stage of the tournament to a stunning conclusion, raising expectations for the semifinals to come. Four teams — Bandra Blasters, Eagle Thane Strikers, SoBo Mumbai Falcons, and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals — have reached the knockout stage.

The semifinals are set to take place on June 10 at the Wankhede Stadium, with the championship match on June 12. Simultaneously, fans are excited to see the international superstar Shreyas Iyer and the many young Mumbai stars, including Atharva Ankolekar, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Harsh Aghav. We have some special performances this tournament and are ready for a strong finish.

Stars Shine Bright in League Stage

Suved Parkar of Bandra Blasters currently wears the Orange Cap, having topped the run charts thanks to his explosive 76 off 37 balls in a record 118-run opening partnership with Vikrant Auti. Shashank Attarde leads the bowling charts with the Purple Cap for Eagle Thane Strikers, while Sairaj Patil has also impressed with his aggressive batting.

Also Read: Mumbai T20 2025, Match 19: North Mumbai Panthers vs Triumph Knights MNE Full Match Highlights

In the last league match, Parkar and Auti led the Bandra Blasters to an eight-wicket victory over MSC Maratha Royals, tracking down a target of 151 runs with more than four overs to spare. Dhrumil Matkar 4/26 had earlier restricted the Royals to a low total, which started a blistering chase that cemented the Blasters' position in the semifinal.

Prithvi Shaw, the erstwhile Indian opener, posted a mysterious Instagram story on May 14, 2025, saying that he "needs a break" days ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumption on May 17. The IPL was postponed on May 9 due to tensions along the India-Pakistan border, but a ceasefire deal has opened the door for the resumption of the league, with the last now planned for June 3. Shaw's career has been stuck in limbo after going unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of Rs 75 lakh; he last played competitive cricket in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December 2024, where he had a poor time, getting two ducks in four innings.

Shaw's career has been plagued by ongoing fitness problems and poor form, resulting in him being left out of the Mumbai team for the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy tournaments. Once a prodigy after making a Test century on debut in 2018, the 25-year-old's recent form has been poor, hurting his chances of a national recall. Punjab Kings (PBKS) ace Shashank Singh, who has played with Shaw for Mumbai, recently included him in the list of possible future openers for India, along with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but hinted Shaw must change his work ethic, including sleep patterns and diet, to revive his career.

Overlooked Amid IPL Replacements

Even as IPL teams go all out in search of replacements in the wake of injuries and player withdrawals—Rajasthan Royals losing Jofra Archer and Chennai Super Kings losing Sam Curran, for instance—Prithvi Shaw's name is never mentioned, sparking questions why he's being left behind. Franchises such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are struggling with overseas player shortages themselves, but Shaw, a domestic prospect with previous IPL experience of 1892 runs in 79 games, has not been under consideration, perhaps because his fitness has been a worry and his current form has not been great.

Prithvi Shaw Instagram Story #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/jrOwH2Tx0h

— Raja (@_raja_kumar) May 14, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: Good News for RCB fans as star player marks his confirmation for reminder of tournament

Shaw's puzzling post has led fans to question his mental health and cricketing future as well as whether the break signals either a step back or a possible return. With the IPL 2025 following a break, there will still be time to see if Shaw can navigate his way around and prove himself capable of competitive cricket, or if he will continue to drift out of the limelight.

The T20 Mumbai League 2025 is coming to Wankhede Stadium from May 26 to June 8, and fans are ready for two weeks of exciting T20 cricket. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced the icon players for each of the eight teams on May 2, during a draw ceremony in the Wankhede Stadium lounge, featuring a great collection of Indian international players that has already established the anticipation for what is sure to be a third edition blockbuster.

Here’s the list of icon players assigned to each franchise:

• Suryakumar Yadav – Triumph Knights Mumbai North East 
• Shreyas Iyer – SoBo Mumbai Falcons
• Shivam Dube – ARCS Andheri
• Ajinkya Rahane – Namo Bandra Blasters
• Shardul Thakur – Eagle Thane Strikers
• Sarfaraz Khan – Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs
• Prithvi Shaw – North Mumbai Panthers
• Tushar Deshpande – Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals

Also Read: T20 Mumbai League 2025: Squads, Captain and Everything you need to know

Icons to Lead and Inspire

By giving each team an icon player, the MCA has made its intentions clear in how it is trying to create the right mix of experience for young players. Each of the marquee players has played for India, and each brings with them leadership capabilities, mentorship, and competitiveness to their respective teams. This in itself should help the development of young talent in the league and raise the overall standard of the event.

With the icon players announced, the main auction is set for May 7, 2025, and the anticipation is already building as the teams get set to build the players around the icons. The drafting is done, and the journey now moves forward to developing balanced teams, with tactics and combinations to follow.

With Wankhede Stadium as the epicenter of the tournament, the T20 Mumbai League 2025 promises to deliver 14 days of gripping cricket, fueling the spirit and memory of Mumbai cricket. With the countdown on until the start of the tournament, anticipation is building for the opportunity to watch cricketing heroes lead from the front, mentor the youth, and make memories at Mumbai's very own T20 carnival.

The meteoric ascent of Prithvi Shaw to the top of Indian cricket. Hyped to be the next Sachin Tendulkar, Shaw had the cricket world in his palm. His career, however, took a sharp and precipitous fall, with the whiz kid now playing for local events such as the Shirdi Premier League 2025. Let us find out what happened.

A Bright Beginning

Prithvi Shaw's career as a cricketer started grandly, and he earned milestones that other cricketers can merely imagine:

Record-Breaking School Cricket: Shaw initially made the headlines when he scored a record 546 during a Harris Shield match in the year 2013. His performance was equated to that of Tendulkar's early supremacy, and his craze became much stronger.

U-19 World Cup Hero: Shaw guided India to the win of the U-19 Cricket World Cup in 2018 and was among the tournament's top scorers. He was the future of Indian cricket, at least how he played.

Dream Test Debut: Shaw debuts for India in Tests in October 2018 and records a majestic 134 against West Indies, being the youngest Indian batsman to have scored a century on debut.

IPL Success: Shaw impressed Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with explosive scores that further entrenched his credentials.

The Downfall

Although he began on a high note, Shaw's fortunes took a turn for the worse due to a combination of factors:

Injury and Fitness Issues: Shaw was plagued by injuries during his career, such as a knee injury that kept him out of action for extended periods. His fitness levels were questionable, and this kept him out of the national selection pool.

Unpredictable Form: Even though Shaw gave hints of his capabilities, his unreliability was always a nagging problem. He could not deliver a solid performance in Indian and IPL cricket.

Increased Competition: With the entry of youngsters Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and many others, Shaw's Indian team position was put in doubt.

Off-Field Controversies: Shaw's off-field conduct, such as a public brawl in a nightclub, contributed to the distractions and bad media attention surrounding him, influencing his cricketing concentration too.

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From International Superstardom to Domestic Leagues

Once part of India's plans, Shaw now plays in domestic leagues such as the Shirdi Premier League 2025. It's a big drop from representing India or even the IPL, and the harsh reality of this has already seen fans wondering what went wrong.

Can Shaw Make a Comeback?

At 25, Shaw has enough time on his hands to get back. Though his career has been tainted by issues, there are enough examples in cricketing history of cricketers having done well in life despite going through troubled times. As long as Shaw is fit, regains consistency, and improves his discipline, he can still stage a comeback.

Prithvi Shaw's tale is a testament to the whimsical nature and turbulence of cricket. One's ability does not go far enough one requires resilience, stability, and diligence in the same proportion. It is yet to be known whether Shaw is able to make a comeback or not, but undoubtedly, the young cricketer can make a comeback if he follows the right path.

Prithvi Shaw’s career is going through a tough phase. His downfall is hard to understand, especially when we look at how he started. Once seen as the next big star of Indian cricket, Shaw is now facing criticism from all sides—fans, experts, former players, and even current players. Many believe his career is over.

The last six months have been especially difficult for Shaw. He was dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy teams, showing how much he is struggling. At 26 years old, it seems like nothing is going right for him.

To make things worse, Shaw went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, even with a base price of ₹75 lakh. It’s surprising to see a player, once called the future of Indian cricket, now not picked by any of the 10 teams.

Shaw made a dream debut for India in October 2018 against the West Indies, scoring a century and becoming the youngest Indian to do so at just 18 years old. He was full of talent and expected to have a bright future. But his last match for India was on July 15, 2021. Since then, he has been trying hard to return to the team, but things have only gotten worse.

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Reasons Behind Shaw's Downfall

There are many reasons behind Shaw’s career struggles. His inconsistent performances have made it hard for selectors to trust him. Fitness issues have also been a big problem, with questions about whether he meets the required standards. In 2023, he was dropped from the Ranji Trophy team for the first time because of poor fitness.

Controversies have added to his troubles. Reports about his partying lifestyle have hurt his reputation. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) even claimed that Shaw often skips training and was seen partying until 6 a.m. during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Such behavior has raised serious doubts about his work ethic.

Shreyas Iyer on Shaw's Comeback

Despite his struggles, many believe Shaw can still make a comeback if he works on his weaknesses. His former teammate Shreyas Iyer has expressed confidence in Shaw’s talent.

His teammate Shreyas Iyer believes that Shaw’s talent has never been in question. However, it is his discipline and work ethic that need improvement. If Shaw can work on these aspects, there is no reason why he can’t make a comeback to the Indian team.

Shreyas Iyer said, “Prithvi Shaw also started on a great note. He’s got a great blessing of timing the ball and scoring runs at a great pace. And all of us in the team feel that he is blessed with that phenomenal talent. So, he just has to focus on his work ethic, and everything else will follow. He’s God-gifted."

Shreyas Iyer will be a key part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, following his remarkable performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. In 10 innings, Iyer amassed 526 runs with an impressive average of 70.17 and a strike rate of 106.58. His contributions included three half-centuries and two centuries, showcasing his ability to perform on the big stage.

Iyer has now solidified his place as India’s No. 4 batsman in ODIs, a position that had been a concern for the team for years. With such consistency, he is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s campaign for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

IPL 2025 to Begin on March 23: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla Confirms

The Indian Premier League's 18th season is starting on March 23, 2025, and everyone's very happy about it. Cricket fans all over the world are very happy because of the announcement from BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla. They're preparing for more exciting T20 cricket matches.

Key Dates and Schedule

The IPL 2025 is set for March 23 we're getting 74 matches. They're keeping things the same as before so that players don't become overloaded and fans have a lot of enjoyment. After two full months of cricket fun, everything wraps up with the final game on May 25.

#WATCH | Mumbai: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla says, "Devajit Saikia elected new BCCI secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia elects as BCCI treasurer...IPL is going to start from 23rd March..." pic.twitter.com/Jd6x7U8Hou

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025

Venue and Broadcasting Updates

The league will keep up with its tradition and hold matches in several different cities. This helps bring the major cricket event closer to fans. They're planning to have the tournament in India, and the matches are going to be in famous stadiums in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, and some others. Unfortunately, they have not informed us the exact match schedule and where each game will be played, though.

This season's broadcasts will not be the same because Viacom18 and Star India merged and now they say their name is Jiostar. Because of the new setup, when people watch the IPL, which is already the top cricket league in the world, it's going to be much nicer. They're bringing in marvelously novel technology and going deeper into the games, so fans should prepare for something unique.

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IPL 2025 Auction: New Look Teams After Mega Auction in Jeddah

The player-auction for the IPL 2025, which took place in November. It happened over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where 182 players found new teams for a hefty total of Rs 639.15 crore. First, the 10 teams made sure to hold onto their important players then, they had the sincere intention to strengthen drastically their lineups by adding a combo of seasoned professionals and fresh, exciting rookies.This event brought significant changes to how the teams look.

Auction Highlights and Key Players

The main key news at the auction was Rishabh Pant setting a new record by being sold for a very high price of Rs 27 crore, making him the priciest player the IPL has ever seen. Right behind him, Shreyas Iyer went for Rs 26.75 crore, and Venkatesh Iyer wasn't far off with a sale at Rs 23.75 crore. Mostly, the bidding war was apparently concentrated on two main groups of players, and a portion of the largest names in the industry ended up getting very large offers.

Teams moved forward fighting for the best cricketers during the auction. Several new players joined the IPL now, making the auction unfathomably intense and memorable. Many teams spent a lot of money, even going above their budget, to acquire major-name players, including some who had a good run with the teams they played for before.

But the auction had some unexpected moments too. Major names such as David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Shardul Thakur didn't attract any offers, surprising everyone. This made the auction even more unpredictable and exciting.

The exclusion of Prithvi Shaw from Mumbai's domestic squad for the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy has made several headlines in recent times. But given his ongoing struggles with form, fitness, and discipline, such a development was on the cards for the promising batter. Previously, his omission from the Mumbai Ranji squad also left Shaw immensely frustrated. 

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Shaw vents his frustration on his Instagram

Facing exclusions on both fronts has been a bitter pill to swallow for the former U-19 World Cup-winning captain. With over 100 domestic appearances for Mumbai across formats, Shaw was not only frustrated but was left baffled as to what more an individual needs to do in order to cement his place in the side.   

To express his anguish following his snub, Shaw took to Instagram to post a story that read the following:

“Tell me, God, what more do I have to see… If 65 innings, 3399 runs at an average of 55.7 with a strike rate of 126, I'm not good enough… but I will keep my faith in you, and hopefully, people believe in me still… because I will come back for sure. Om Sai Ram.”

MCA uncovers the real reason behind Shaw's snub in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

Prithvi Shaw's Instagram story did not go unnoticed by MCA. In a recent turn of events, the governing body stated that the young 23-year-old batter was dropped solely on grounds of fitness and discipline. 

Although MCA highlighted fitness and discipline as their key areas of concern, they also advised Shaw to work on his game and remain hopeful of a resounding comeback from him if all boxes are ticked.

“The fitness concern is there, but the performance is also not there currently. He needs to work on his fitness, discipline, and performance. The main issue is the fitness. You see the matches. You get the image, right? Just by looking at his frame, the fitness issues are there for everyone to see. We hope he works on these issues and makes a strong comeback. We all know his talent. It is just about him putting in the hard yards.”

Prithvi was a part of Mumbai's victorious run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. However, he did not make a significant contribution. Although Mumbai secured the championship, Shaw faced difficulties with his batting. Over the course of nine innings, he was unable to accumulate 200 runs, maintaining an average of less than 25 and consistently finding it challenging to perform against the new ball.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a 28-player probables list for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. The list includes several prominent names such as Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, alongside experienced batsman Ajinkya Rahane. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, Mumbai’s squad appears well-prepared for a competitive season ahead.

Mumbai’s senior selection committee finalises probables

The probables list was selected by the MCA’s Senior Selection Committee, chaired by Sanjay Patil and including Ravi Thaker, Jeetendra Thackeray, Kiran Powar, and Vikrant Yeligeti. This committee has aimed to create a balanced roster that includes senior players and young talents for the domestic T20 competition.

In addition to Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, all-rounder Shardul Thakur and left-arm spinner Shams Mulani have also made the cut. However, star all-rounder Tanush Kotian’s absence from the probables has raised eyebrows. Young wicketkeepers Hardik Tamore and Aakash Anand are among the two selected to take on glovework responsibilities, while promising teenager Ayush Mhatre, who impressed in his debut Ranji season, has also been included.

The players have been asked to report to the MCA Academy at the BKC facility on Saturday, November 9, ahead of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy clash against Odisha, giving the squad an opportunity to begin preparation for the tournament together.

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Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy schedule and Mumbai’s Group E opponents

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is set to begin on November 23, bringing together top domestic teams from across India. Mumbai has been placed in Group E, where they will face off against teams including Goa, Kerala, Services, Maharashtra, and Nagaland. The competition will span several weeks, with the final scheduled for December 15.

Mumbai’s campaign will kick off with a match against their neighbours, Goa. The venue for this opening clash will be announced soon, but the team is eager to make a strong start. With a squad filled with both experienced hands and emerging players, Mumbai will be aiming to lift the trophy and demonstrate their strength in India’s premier domestic T20 competition.

This probables list for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy highlights Mumbai’s commitment to both experienced talent and promising youth. As the team heads into the season, they look to showcase skill and determination in their quest for T20 success. Fans will be keenly watching stars like Shaw and Iyer lead the way as the tournament unfolds.

Down on fitness and form, the Thane-born cricket Prithwi Shaw is experiencing one of the worst lows in his professional cricketing career. Seen and adored as someone who could fill in the shoes of the great Sachin Tendulkar, Shaw has lost his legacy as a specialist batsman and has faded away from the international area due to his poor form.

Shaw has had to deal with multiple exclusions off late. Shaw was last seen in Indian colors in July 2021 and has since then been left out of the Indian squad. Moreover, the 24-year-old has also been axed from his local Ranji team Mumbai along fitness and disciplinary lines.    

Greg Chappell offers some words of encouragement to the youngster 

In the face of acute adversary, former Australia player and coach Greg Chappell comes out in support of the talented youngster. In an open letter, Chappell advised Shaw to keep his spirits high in these testing times. 

Furthermore, Chappell stressed on the positive aspect of getting dropped. The Aussie legend went on to quote examples of himself and Don Bradman and how they were dropped in multiple phases of their career which helped them come back stronger.

"Hi Prithvi, I understand you’re facing a challenging time right now, being out of the Mumbai team. It’s natural to feel frustrated and perhaps a bit uncertain, but I want you to know that these moments are often the turning points for athletes, helping to shape both their careers and their character. Remember, setbacks are a part of every great athlete’s story. Even legends like Don Bradman experienced being dropped and having to fight their way back. What made them great was not avoiding challenges, but how they responded to them."

Chappell's own perspective on Shaw

Chappell has been observing Shaw since his U-19 playing days. Under Shaw's leadership, India went on to win the 2018 U-19 World Cup and on the back of some impressive performances in that tournament, Shaw was selected to make his Test debut against West Indies that year. Chappell urges the youngster to delve deep into self-introspection and not try to back away from facing challenges. The Aussie legend himself faced numerous setbacks in his playing days but learned to take corrective measures to rectify the shortcomings. He expects Shaw to review every aspect of his game and work on his attitude and resilience. 

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