'My friend Arjun Tendulkar and I sat...': Prithvi Shaw recalls 2011 World Cup final memory at Wankhede Stadium

After waiting for 28 long years, Team India finally clinched the ICC World Cup 2011 at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Among the crowd of thousands on that unforgettable day was a young Prithvi Shaw, who was only 11 years old at the time. Next to him sat Arjun Tendulkar, the son of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was out on the field displaying his talent.

As the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) geared up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Shaw reminisced about the moment he witnessed India’s World Cup victory, a cherished memory he shared with his friend Arjun. This experience at the Wankhede Stadium is particularly special for Shaw, as it represents his first major memory at the iconic venue.

"My first memory that I remember, and it's for the rest of my life, was when I came here to watch the 2011 World Cup. I was 11 that time; me and Arjun Tendulkar, my friend, we both sat here and watched that game live," NDTV quoted Prithvi Shaw as narrating.

"I still remember the moment when we lifted that World Cup. What an experience. That was my first time," Shaw added.

Despite being recognised as one of Mumbai's most promising young players in recent years, Prithvi Shaw's career has not progressed as many anticipated.

However, fate had other ideas for Shaw, as he led India to win in the 2018 U19 World Cup, with other great players like as Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh.

Shaw is now going through a difficult period and has been consistently omitted from Mumbai's domestic cricket squads. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has cited Shaw's lack of discipline as a significant factor for his slide. Furthermore, Shaw went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction.

In view of Shaw's emotional response to being taken out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy team, the MCA has blamed his actions on his own decisions. A top MCA official told PTI that Shaw's fitness, discipline, and attitude have occasionally forced the squad to conceal his flaws on the pitch.

In contrast, Arjun Tendulkar is now playing for Goa in domestic cricket.

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