NEW DELHI: Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has thrown his weight behind Prithvi Shaw ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, urging the young opener to trust his ability and translate talent into consistent performances if given another opportunity.
He is one of the 350 shortlisted players set to go under the hammer at the auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday December 16.
While speaking on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan was asked to name a player whose absence at the auction table would surprise him the most. Without hesitation, he pointed to Prithvi Shaw, calling him a rare talent who still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
"I think about Prithvi Shaw. A player like Prithvi Shaw - I feel that the kind of talent he has should be justified through performances. Whenever I watch him, I feel, ‘This is a top-quality player, and he really should be delivering consistent performances”
In the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season, Prithvi Shaw struggled to make a strong impact with the bat. The opener featured in seven matches but failed to convert starts into substantial scores on a consistent basis.
Shaw managed 183 runs across the tournament, numbers that fell short of expectations for a player of his calibre.
