New Delhi, March 25 – Delhi Capitals (DC) opener Prithvi Shaw says he sees the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season as a fresh start for himself within the team, emphasizing that his primary focus is contributing to the team's success and then striving to regain his place in the Indian team.
“It's always a fresh start, 100 percent. There are many experiences, but they are in the past, and things can't be repeated. It's a new beginning. There's a new team, and many new things have happened. I wasn't here last year; I only joined this year.
“Therefore, there are many new things, so I think it's a fresh start. Whatever we have practiced, we have done so that the IPL can start well. So, obviously, it's a fresh start. All the good memories we have created together have been done previously, and I think it's a fresh start now,” Shaw told reporters on the sidelines of DC's practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.
Shaw, who missed the 2025 IPL, was re-signed by Delhi for the 2026 season. Between the 2018 and 2024 seasons, he scored 1,892 runs in 79 innings at a strike rate of 148, although his form fluctuated. He managed only 106 runs in 2023 but showed more explosiveness in 2024 with 198 runs at a strike rate of 164, although he had five scores of below 20. In between, fitness and behavioral issues led to him losing favor with the Mumbai domestic team and relocating to Maharashtra.
“I think everything is going well. I have never personally considered myself weak. I have always believed in myself, even if no one else does. My family has supported me. I am a person who doesn't overthink things. For me, it's all about the present – what I am doing today and how much effort I can put in today.
“Obviously, there have been many lessons learned in the last few years. You have to keep learning. If there's nothing to learn, then what's the point? So, obviously, we have to keep learning. I have handled all the ups and downs very well. It has been a lot of fun in the last few years. There have been good scores and some low scores. I have worked hard in certain situations. So, it has been good,” he added.
Prithvi's recent engagement with long-time partner, actress and influencer Akriti Agarwal, has also contributed to his positive outlook. “I haven't gotten married yet. I feel that when you have a good partner, it's the right time, and I did. Actually, this is the first time I was asked this question. That's why I am a little flustered. I don't usually do this.”
“There was stability before. But obviously, she has been my lucky charm. Both of us have worked hard to build a relationship. It wasn't easy for us as well. But we both understood our lives and where we belong. I am a cricketer; she is an actress. But we have to make sacrifices and keep those things in mind,” he said.
Many people still see Shaw, who has played in all formats for India, as a future star, and he confirmed this perception. “I am still a young player, and I don't feel old. Sometimes I feel that I have just now won the U-19 World Cup. But it's been more than eight years now. So, sometimes you get a partner who understands you. So, I think I have the right person beside me, and it's been good.”
Shaw had a mixed run in domestic cricket last year, scoring 183 runs in seven innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at a strike rate of 161, but struggled for runs in four innings. He acknowledged that the lessons learned from this challenging period have motivated him to give his best in his cricket.
“I think that's why I'm playing. There is no doubt that I have to come back to the Indian team. That's why I'm working very hard. The amount of hard work I used to do before – I think I'm doing three times more now. Actually, I don't like to talk about it. But I feel that I'm not just giving 100 percent – I'm giving 200 percent to return to the Indian team, or to win this trophy, or to give my best on a match day or even during practice.
“It's not just about match days; I also try to give my best during practice days – not just 100 percent. If I'm not feeling good, then I won't be practicing. You won't get anything by practicing only 50 percent. If you are on the field, you give your 100 percent, or you don't come to the field. Whatever ups and downs happened last year, I have done all this with a lot of respect.
“Obviously, it stays in my mind when I will be back. But there's only one way – work hard and give my best. Whatever you have, if you have made some mistakes – learn from it. When you grow up, you will realize those mistakes. So, you don't have to talk to anyone, or your senior or mentor will tell you. Things that you already know, he will tell you. You better understand those things and then you move forward,” he elaborated.
Shaw acknowledged the expectations from his family, fans, and the franchise, emphasizing his commitment to putting in his best effort rather than focusing on outcomes. “Everyone has expectations – I'm not talking about the fans or the franchise. I'm talking about the family. My family also has a lot of expectations, and as you said, cricket is such a thing – you have to give your best.
“If you're doing well that day, you give your best, and it translates to success. But it can also be 30 balls for 50 runs, or 50 balls for 50 runs. It can also be 0. So, my mentality is to go out there and give my best. I can understand how fans feel and how the franchise, the owners, and the support staff feel.
“I understand that – whatever they give us, we have to show them. But for me, it's like, whenever I go there, I try my best to do so. And that doesn't always happen. If there are some mistakes in it, then I will practice and apply it. I won't say that in all matches, I will score 100. That is practically impossible – because there has to be a consistent path. The consistency, how he takes it and is mentally ready.
“The fans, who understand cricket from the outside. They don't understand it from the inside. But I still understand that, as since I was young, expectations have started. I understand them as well,” he explained.
Shaw also commented on the opening slot and any communication from the DC think tank, saying that the competition remains fierce. “I haven't thought about it. If KL (Rahul) opens, I hope that whoever opens, does it well. I won't say that I should open or whoever opens, wins the match. Obviously, there is competition – cricket is such a thing.
“Whether you play Ranji Trophy or IPL or India A, there will be competition. Today, there are 10 openers, as you can see. So, there will be competition in my team. There is a group, and so I won't say that whoever plays, makes good runs, because there is a team and a family. For me, the team comes first, then I come into play. So, whoever opens with him, I hope he has a great season.”
The past few years have been a rollercoaster ride for Shaw, and he concluded by saying that being mentally tough helped him overcome the challenges. “Engagement and nothing special – it's just hard work. Not even double, three times more. Training, keeping yourself mentally strong a lot. Before, I used to take a lot of stress. But all that goes away with a smile.
“I have seen so much in my life that I don't take things for granted. But if there is any stress, I smile. I think you have to be mentally very strong when you go through such periods. Obviously, life is a challenge, you have to accept it, and have fun.”