If Prithvi Shaw, a top-order hitter, is selected by a team at the IPL 2026 Auction, former cricketer Irfan Pathan urges the player to support his skill for a steady output. Shaw is on the shortlist of the 350 players that will be up for auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. For background, Irfan thinks that 2026 will be different from 2025, when Shaw was unsold in the IPL due to a lack of buyers.
Shaw is a “top-quality player,” according to the cricketer-turned-commentator, who also noted how talented he is.
“Prithvi Shaw comes to mind. I believe that a player like Prithvi Shaw should be able to demonstrate his talent through his performances. Every time I watch him, I think, ‘This is a really good player, and he should be playing consistently,'” Irfan stated through Star Sports.
Irfan Pathan immediately chose the out-of-favor India opener when asked to pick a player who would be a huge surprise if unsold.
Regarding Shaw’s recent cricketing endeavours, he was captain of the Maharashtra team competing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. Shaw made an impression with a few half-centuries, but the team was unable to advance to the knockout stages. Throughout the competition, the 26-year-old batsman scored 183 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 160.52. Additionally, Shaw has scored 470 runs in seven innings during the current Ranji season.
In terms of his IPL career, Shaw has only played for the Delhi Capitals thus far. He didn’t sell at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Shaw had his greatest season in 2021, scoring 479 runs with a strike rate of 159.13 in 15 games.
Shaw has been included in the first group of capped batters, along with a few other cricket players. His starting price is INR 75 lakh. Shaw will likely be targeted at the auction by the teams in need of an aggressive opening hitter. The Mumbai native will be hoping to return to the lucrative tournament after being out of the spotlight with the auction quickly approaching.
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