Prithvi Shaw (Image credit: Delhi Capitals) Back in IPL after a year Capital Delhi dough seems calmer, more focused, mentally stronger. He says he has learned from the excesses of the past that led to the rapid disintegration of a once-promising career.MUMBAI: A Delhi Capitals jersey makes Prithvi Shaw feel right at home at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Ahead of the IPL season, it is clear that the once promising batter from Mumbai has shed a few kilos. Even his thought process seems to have gained a new perspective. ‘Axed’ from the IPL last year, he says the break has done him the world of good.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!The gaudy engagement ring on his finger seems to be a symbol of change.“I went to a few places to clear my mind. It was a good break (IPL snub) for me. I enjoyed my life a lot. I can’t say I would take a step back,” Prithvi said about going unsold last season.“The break allowed me to get stronger mentally. When I came back, it was the same routine. I trained and worked hard. Whatever I was doing earlier, I started doing it three times more,” he said before the Delhi Capitals got busy with an intra-squad match on Wednesday night.
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Axar Patel questions Impact Player rule: ‘All-rounders lose value’It wasn’t just the IPL ax. Shaw was forced to move from Mumbai to Maharashtra after being dropped by the selectors in the previous season. The ax must have felt like a punch to the stomach for the cricket association that had promoted him as a child prodigy since the age of 13.“When I was dropped from the Mumbai team for a year, I felt that the reason given to me was not justified. Even then I just smiled and left. I did not speak to the selectors or the president of the association. I started getting many offers from other states but I chose Maharashtra because it was closer to Mumbai,” he said.Gossip and unwanted headlines haunted Prithvi for a while. He has seen the glittering heights of cricketing glory and also suffered many embarrassments off the field. Now, at 26, will he be able to turn another corner?“I didn’t write anything about myself. The media did,” he said of all the early hype about his talent. “I’m a human being. I’m going to make mistakes. It’s been many years. I’ve had to make some mistakes in my life,” he stated.As his career began to unravel four years ago, the constant controversy began to take its toll. Shaw says he returned to a close circle of associates to be at peace with himself.“Whatever is written out there, people only know half of it. My family and friends know me. I’ve kept as many friends in my life as I have fingers. I only train with my kid trainer. I don’t call anyone. If someone wants to call me, I don’t mind. Of course I was very young. Whenever there were good or bad things on social media and in the newspapers,” I said, now I saw it, it stopped affecting me.“I know where I’ve come from and how hard I’ve worked to get here. People make mistakes but that’s history. I feel I’m very happy mentally. This (cricket) is my passion. Nobody can take that away from me. I think sometimes we take ourselves too seriously,” he said with a smile.So are they still making plans to come back? “It will be wrong to say that I am not thinking about a comeback. I am playing for it. Who wouldn’t want to play for India?” On his way back to the dressing room for a practice match, Prithvi was asked how he calms his mind. “Nothing. No rituals. No yoga or meditation. Just an engagement ring,” he said with a smile.
