Prithvi Shaw, a prodigious right-handed opening batsman, captained the triumphant Indian Under-19 cricket team in the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Often hailed as India’s next Sachin Tendulkar, his career trajectory is one of remarkable talent and captivating controversy.

Biography/Wiki

Prithvi Pankaj Shaw entered the world on November 9, 1999, in Virar, Maharashtra, India. His cricketing journey began at the tender age of 3, thanks to his father’s foresight. Sadly, he lost his mother when he was just 4 years old. His father, initially a garment businessman, dedicated himself entirely to Prithvi’s cricketing aspirations.

Young Prithvi honed his skills playing with friends and his father near the JW Marriott. At 11, a contract with AAP Entertainment Limited brought him and his father to Mumbai, furthering his cricketing education.

Physical Stats

Standing at approximately 5’7″ and weighing around 55 kg, Prithvi possesses dark brown eyes and black hair.

Family

Parents & Siblings

Hailing from a middle-class Hindu-Vaisya family, Prithvi was raised by his father, Pankaj Shaw, after his mother’s passing. While raised in Mumbai, his roots trace back to Gaya, Bihar.

Relationships/Affairs

Prithvi Shaw publicly confirmed his relationship with actress and model Nidhi Tapadia in May 2023, making their first public appearance together at the IIFA 2023 awards.

Career

Prithvi’s schooling took place at A.V.S. Vidyamandir, Virar, and Rizvi Springfield High School, Mumbai. Currently, he is pursuing his graduation from Rizvi College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mumbai. His talent shone brightly in 2013 during the Harris Shield Cricket Tournament, where he amassed a staggering 546 runs in a single innings.

His first-class debut for Mumbai came in January 2017 against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, earning him the Man of the Match award. That same year saw his List A debut against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His captaincy of the India U-19 team during the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup solidified his status as a rising star. His impressive 94 runs against Australia in a Youth ODI further cemented his reputation.

His Test debut arrived on October 4, 2018, against the West Indies in Rajkot, where he scored a memorable century, earning him the Player of the Series title. His ODI debut followed on February 5, 2020, against New Zealand. In a significant move, he announced his intention to play for the English county side Northamptonshire in July 2023. His T20I debut occurred on July 25, 2021, against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Records & Achievements

• First schoolboy cricketer to score 500+ runs in an official inter-school match (546 runs from 330 balls).
• Youngest Indian and 5th overall opener to score a 50 on Test debut.
• First Indian cricketer to score a century on debut in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Test matches.
• 15th Indian and 106th overall player to score a century on Test debut.
• 2nd fastest List A hundred by an Indian batter (244 runs off 153 balls).

Controversy

Selfie row with fans

In February 2023, Prithvi Shaw filed a police complaint against individuals who allegedly harassed him and damaged his car. A counter-complaint was filed, and the incident generated significant media attention and conflicting accounts of the events. A CCTV video later surfaced, adding another layer of complexity to the controversy.

Favourites

Shaw idolizes Sachin Tendulkar, his favourite actor is Govinda, and his favourite actress is Deepika Padukone. He enjoys listening to Arijit Singh in his free time.

Facts

• Plays for Mumbai’s MIG (Middle Income Group) Cricket Club.
• Coached by Santosh Pingulkar and Rahul Dravid.
• Wore jersey number 100 for India U-19.
• Enjoys creating Dubsmash clips.
• Was bought by Delhi Daredevils for ₹1.2 crore in the 2018 IPL auction.