Indiscipline on part of Prithvi Shaw and Shardul thakur's failure to meet the modern demands of the game contributed to them going unsold.
The IPL 2025 Auction concluded on Monday in Jeddah with several surprises, including the young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi making history. However, it was the shocking exclusions of Prithvi Shaw and Shardul Thakur that sparked intense discussions among cricketing circles. Despite their past contributions, neither managed to attract any bids, raising questions about their current form, utility, and reputation in the league.
Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a prodigy and a potential successor to Sachin Tendulkar, went unsold in the auction. His absence from the IPL setup reflects a tragic downturn in a career that began with a century on Test debut at just 18 years old. Ricky Ponting, who worked closely with Shaw at the Delhi Capitals (DC), expressed his disappointment:
“You know, Prithvi, I still say now he is as talented a player as I probably ever worked with. He goes unsold in the auction and then doesn’t even come back in the accelerator. It’s actually quite sad,” Ponting told Cricbuzz.
Ponting suggested that Shaw’s indiscipline may have contributed to his exclusion. Last season, Shaw was dropped from DC’s playing XI for six matches, reportedly due to disciplinary reasons. Moreover, his recent omission from the Mumbai Ranji team amid fitness concerns has only fueled doubts about his commitment and form.
Shaw’s inability to adapt to the modern T20 batting demands may also have played a role. Teams now prioritize batters who can consistently clear the ropes, particularly in the Powerplay. A senior franchise coach explained, “The ability to hit sixes is now paramount. If you aren’t brought up with this instinct, it’s super difficult at this stage to develop it.”
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Shaw’s narrative increasingly mirrors that of Vinod Kambli, another Mumbai batter whose talent was overshadowed by a lack of discipline and unfulfilled potential. While Shaw’s natural ability remains undeniable, his inability to meet the demands of the league has cost him dearly in this auction.
