Sachin Tendulkar's Belief in Prithvi Shaw Gives Him Hope for Return

Prithvi Shaw's cricketing life has witnessed a lot of ups and downs, and in recent years, the downs have been more prominent. Once regarded as one of India's most promising young stars Shaw's career has been in troubled waters. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons everything went drastically wrong with him. He was axed from the Mumbai domestic squad and what added to the disappointment was going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. For a player who had been likened to the greats like Virender Sehwag and even rumored as a star of the future like Sachin Tendulkar these failures were difficult to ignore.

But all may not have lost hope on Shaw. The iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar still has faith that Shaw can return and regain his glory. Shaw has just spoken about how the unique relationship he shares with Tendulkar helped him and how it was a meeting just two months ago that provided him with the kick he required. Shaw made it known that his dad being gone the person who has been the greatest supporter in his life is Sachin Tendulkar. He added that Tendulkar has been more like a mentor and guide throughout these challenging times.

Prithvi also added that he has known Sachin's son Arjun since they were eight or nine years old. Being friends made Shaw close to Tendulkar throughout the years. Tendulkar has witnessed Shaw's development and recognized his talent right from a young age. He was at MIG Cricket Club a couple of months ago when Shaw was there for practice as well. It was during this encounter that Tendulkar reprimanded him in terms of a reality check but also had faith in him.

As per Shaw, Tendulkar informed him directly that he still has confidence in him and that he can bounce back. This word came a long way in Shaw's life as he confessed that hearing these words from the likes of Tendulkar is worth a great deal. The Master Blaster instructed him to get back on course and told him that anything is still possible. These words acted as a reminder to him that no matter how difficult things become there's always scope to change the course for good if one remains focused and determined.

All this emotional support notwithstanding, Shaw has had to make some crucial decisions lately. He left his long-time association with the Mumbai cricket team that had been his home since 2017 when he made his debut. He formally applied for a No Objection Certificate from the Mumbai Cricket Association and it was issued to him. It was not an easy choice for Shaw but one he felt compelled to make for his progress and development as a cricketer.

The MCA recognized Shaw's role in Mumbai cricket over the years. Hadap, the secretary, valued his efforts and wished him well for the future. Shaw was thankful for the opportunities he had while playing with Mumbai but mentioned that it was time for him to move on. This action is being interpreted as a clean slate for him and perhaps the beginning step in getting back to his lost form and concentration.

While Shaw's on-field actions have not been in the news much of late his off-field antics have unfortunately been in the limelight. Whether it was issues with discipline or individual controversies these events overshadowed his ability. But with his recent move to change teams and with continued support from influential figures like Tendulkar there's hope that he can get back to where he should be.

There's no question that Prithvi Shaw is a born cricketer. He hit a century on his Indian Test debut and many felt he would be an integral part of the national team. But inconsistent performances, injuries and off-field issues have held him back. The fact that he is only 25 years old means there's a lot of time left for him to come back.

Having a guide such as Sachin Tendulkar is a huge positive. Tendulkar's opinions carry a lot of value and his words of encouragement can travel a long way in changing Shaw's attitude. When you have someone of Sachin's standing believe in you, it raises confidence and provides the incentive to work twice as hard. Shaw seems to have taken this counsel on board and seems determined to set his career straight once more.

Now that he has decided to part ways with Mumbai and start a new chapter with a different domestic team all eyes will be on how he performs. This change could bring a new environment and a fresh mindset which might help Shaw find his rhythm again. Cricket is as much a mental game as it is a physical one and having the right people around makes all the difference.

The journey of a cricketer is never a straight road. There are always highs and lows. What matters is how one handles the setbacks and bounces back stronger. Prithvi Shaw is at that stage now where he needs to prove himself again. With his talent and the backing of legends like Tendulkar the road to redemption is open. It’s now up to Shaw to walk that path with discipline focus and a clear mind.

Sachin Tendulkar's message to Shaw wasn't purely cricket-related. It was a message of faith belief and mental toughness. And if Shaw can maintain that faith and use it as inspiration he has every possibility of changing things around. Supporters still recall the fearless young batsman who faced international bowlers with impunity. That player is still within Prithvi Shaw. He simply needs to find him again.