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'Don't mind starting from scratch again' - Prithvi Shaw shares stunning message after he marks Maharashtra debut with century. (Photo source: X)

Prithvi Shaw, who was once regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket, has struggled with form, fitness, and off-field controversies in recent years. But on his Maharashtra debut in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, the 25-year-old opener scored a solid century against Chhattisgarh. Following his knock, he opened up about getting his career back on track.

After being dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy side last year due to poor fitness and disciplinary concerns, Shaw went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, raising further questions about his future. Later that year, the youngster signed for Maharashtra ahead of the 2025–26 domestic season. On his debut knock, he hammered 111 off 141 balls on a tricky Chennai pitch.

"I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life. And I've been up there, I've been down there, and I've come back up there. So, everything is possible, I feel. I'm kind of a very confident guy, confident in myself and my work ethics. I feel and I hope that this season will go really well for me as well as for my new team. I mean, these two-three months [before the season] I had my trainer [working with me]," he said. "He used to come personally to train me. And I've got a dietitian as well, and he gives me the meals [plan] and everything - like what a dietitian does. So, all this stuff in three months has really changed me physically and mentally as well. And, you know, it can be seen on the field," Shaw said after stumps on day two as quoted by ESPN.

On a surface that had bounce and sharp turn, Shaw backed his natural attacking instincts to the demands of the game. While his opening partner Sachin Dhas, struggled to get going, Shaw raced to 30 off just 23 deliveries before pushing the accelerator when Maharashtra lost quick wickets, including captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Eventually, he reached his maiden century for Maharashtra with a knock that included 15 fours and a six, while the rest of the batting line-up faltered.

"I feel it [my approach] depended on the scoreboard. Obviously, we're four wickets down for 17 [after an opening stand of 71]. We had a good opening partnership, but when wickets were falling, I had to be patient enough to take the game away from them, which I was trying my best [to do]. And the wicket [in Chennai] is obviously good for spinners. It [the pitch] is turning, bouncing and [there are] a lot of patches on the wicket. So, I tried my best to just be over there and try to [make] some scores. It feels really nice [to score a hundred], especially because I'm playing my first game for Maharashtra. It feels nice; it's been long, and I haven't played a three-day or four-day game [recently]," Shaw added.

The 25-year-old also spoke about the efforts he has put into turning his career around. He revealed that in the months leading up to the new season, he worked closely with a personal trainer and a dietitian to improve his fitness and mental strength. 

"Before it was for me, like I was trying to think bahut aage ka," Shaw said. "So, I don't think it worked for me. What I'm trying to do now is going day-by-day - whatever I have [as] my schedule plan when I'm playing a match or when I'm not playing matches. "So, I've got a schedule plan. I'm focusing day-by-day. I don't want to see what happens after a month or two days. I try to be in the present. I'm that kind of a person right now. Obviously, my family has been a big support in my tough times, and my coach Prashant Shetty [as well]. So, there's a lot of support behind me, and I don't want to make them feel that I'm not trying hard enough," he concluded.