Aakash Chopra backs Prithvi Shaw to find buyers in IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed Prithvi Shaw to find a buyer in the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction. Shaw had gone unsold in IPL 2025 mega auction despite setting his base price at INR 75 lakh. 

However, now things have changed for Prithvi Shaw, who is playing for Maharashtra in the domestic circuit. The youngster has been in good form while playing in the Ranji and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and he would definitely want to return to the IPL.

Shaw has scored 470 runs in five Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 67.14 and a strike rate of 92.34. Furthermore, the top-order batsman has scored 167 runs in six matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy.

“Things have changed. Prithvi has found his direction once again. He has started scoring the runs. He has gone to Maharashtra. He scored a double century in the Ranji Trophy. He is scoring runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has a strike rate above 90 in the runs he has scored in the Ranji Trophy,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator highlighted that Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders will look to rope in openers in the IPL 2026 auction.

“So can Prithvi get another chance in this auction? I am wondering who needs openers. I think Delhi and Kolkata need openers. Can he rewrite a story? Maybe it’s Prithvi’s turn. My focus will be on him because life and cricket should always give you another opportunity, and this could be Prithvi’s opportunity,” he added.

Recalling the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, Chopra said Prithvi Shaw had more flamboyance and aggression than Shubman Gill.

“Prithvi Shaw is a case study. When India won the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where Prithvi was the captain and Shubman Gill was also part of the team, many people said that a little more class was seen in Shubman Gill, but Prithvi Shaw had more flamboyance and aggression,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer observed how controversies and inconsistencies played a role in Shaw’s dip in his cricket career.

“Prithvi has played for India previously and scored a century on Test debut. I remember that game. I think it was in Rajkot against the West Indies. However, after that, he got huge IPL contracts, and then he disappeared. It seemed like Prithvi had lost his direction, whether it was temperament issues or inconsistency. Plenty of controversies surrounded the kid,” Chopra observed.

The IPL 2026 auction is all set to take center stage on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.