Former assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals, Mohammad Kaif, did not hold back in criticizing Prithvi Shaw after the young opener went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah. Prithvi Shaw, who entered the auction at a reduced base price of INR 75 lakh, found no takers and wasn’t even recalled during the accelerated round of bidding.
Speaking to JioCinema, Kaif reflected on Shaw’s seven-year stint with the Delhi Capitals, revealing that the franchise had repeatedly supported him despite his inconsistent performances.
“Delhi backed Prithvi Shaw a lot because we expected him to be a powerplay specialist. He had shown glimpses of his potential, like hitting six boundaries in one over against Shivam Mavi, but he failed to capitalize on repeated opportunities,” Kaif explained.
The former coach shared how head coach Ricky Ponting and he often debated Shaw’s inclusion in the playing XI. “We’d drop him by night after a poor performance, only to change our minds the next morning and back him for the match, hoping he’d deliver,” Kaif added. However, Shaw’s inability to meet expectations ultimately led to Delhi releasing him before the auction.
Kaif didn’t shy away from calling the auction snub “shameful” for the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning captain.
“There are so many players who don’t get as many chances as Shaw did. Even after lowering his base price to INR 75 lakh, no one bid for him. That’s a wake-up call,” said Kaif.
He urged Shaw to take inspiration from Sarfaraz Khan, who rebuilt his career through exceptional domestic performances. “Now, he must return to the drawing board, score big in domestic cricket, and earn his way back into contention,” Kaif advised.
Do you agree with Kaif?
