Prithvi Shaw, the talented Indian cricketer who had lost his touch after a poor tour of Australia in 2020-21, has made a sensational comeback by smashing a double century in an English County One-Day match. Shaw, once hailed as the next ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ due to his exceptional batting talent and similar height to the Indian legend, faced a setback in his career due to fitness issues and lack of form. The rise of fellow cricketer Shubman Gill during this period further dampened Shaw’s chances of making a comeback.
Before his slump, Shaw had led the Indian team to success in the U19 World Cup and even scored a century in his debut Test innings. However, his performances declined, culminating in a disappointing IPL 2023 season where he struggled to make an impact for the Delhi Capitals. Despite a late comeback with a fifty in the final match, it was too late for the team as they had already been eliminated.
Shaw’s remarkable knock of 244 runs off just 153 balls has sparked discussions among fans and compelled selectors to reconsider his position. While many praised him for his outstanding performance, there were others who resorted to body-shaming him for his weight gain in recent years. It’s unclear whether his weight gain is related to any health condition, but the online hate he has been receiving is unwarranted.
Influencer Ankur Warikoo, known for his motivational speeches on social media, also made fun of Shaw’s weight but later apologized for his comments. Warikoo tweeted, Bet his mom thinks ‘patla ho gaya hai’ in response to someone fat-shaming Shaw. However, Warikoo acknowledged his mistake and apologized, highlighting the insensitivity of his tweet considering that Shaw lost his mother at a young age.
Despite facing criticism and struggles, Shaw has managed to play 5 Tests, 6 ODIs, and 1 T20I in his international career. He has scored 399 runs in Tests and 189 runs in ODIs, but is yet to open his account in T20Is. In a candid interview with Cricbuzz, Shaw previously opened up about his mental health issues. He also revealed the challenges he faced during the toughest phase of his career, including feelings of loneliness and lack of friends.
Shaw’s recent double century has reignited hopes of a comeback for the talented batsman. Fans and critics are eagerly observing his progress, hoping that he can secure his position in the Indian side once again. While Shaw’s journey may have been filled with ups and downs, his resilience and determination are likely to be critical factors in shaping his future in international cricket.
In conclusion, Prithvi Shaw’s spectacular double century has not only sparked discussions about his potential comeback but has also shed light on the issue of body-shaming in the online world. Despite the backlash faced by Shaw, influential figures like Ankur Warikoo have apologized for their insensitive comments. With his recent performance, Shaw has reminded everyone of his exceptional talent and the promise he showed earlier in his career. Whether he can overcome his challenges and make a successful return to international cricket remains to be seen.
