From heartbreak to homecoming: Prithvi Shaw’s IPL auction rollercoaster

Prithvi Shaw’s IPL 2026 auction journey unfolded as a case of extremes, swinging from disappointment to delight within the space of minutes on Tuesday.

The India batter entered the auction with a base price of Rs 75 lakh but found no takers when his name first came up. Even during the accelerated round for unsold players, Shaw was overlooked again, prompting a visible reaction on social media.

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The 26-year-old posted an Instagram story that read “It’s Ok” accompanied by a heartbreak emoji, offering a glimpse into his state of mind as the auction appeared to be slipping away.

The script flipped late in the proceedings when Delhi Capitals brought Shaw’s name back into the auction for a third time and successfully secured him, triggering an immediate change in tone.

Just six minutes after his earlier post, Shaw deleted the heartbreak message and shared DC’s official welcome graphic instead, which showed him taking a selfie with captain Axar Patel.

“Back to my family,” Shaw wrote with a heart emoji, signalling both relief and joy at rejoining the franchise he had previously represented from 2018 to 2024. The rapid sequence of posts underlined the emotional volatility that often accompanies IPL auction day.

Shaw, who etched his name into the record books earlier this season by notching up the fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history in October, has featured in five Tests and six ODIs for India since making his international debut in 2018.

Having begun his domestic career with Mumbai, he has since shifted to Maharashtra, and has impressed in the limited appearances for his new side, as he continues to work towards a consistent return to the international arena.