Prithvi Shaw, the Indian batsman representing English county side Northamptonshire, made headlines with an exceptional performance on the cricket field. Shaw smashed a record-breaking 244 runs off 153 balls during a 50-over competition against Somerset in the United Kingdom. His innings ranks as the sixth highest score by any batter in List A history and the highest individual score made by any player in List A cricket while representing Northamptonshire.
However, what should have been a celebration turned sour as Shaw faced body-shaming backlash on social media. Many individuals posted tweets with images of Shaw’s receding hairline and his muscular physique, leading to speculation about his age. Despite the negative comments, Shaw received support on social media from those urging others to focus on his batting prowess rather than his physical appearance.
Supportive tweets highlighted the importance of appreciating Shaw’s skills and not judging him based on his looks. One tweet expressed concern about the emphasis on appearances over talents, while another criticized social media users for trolling Shaw’s unflattering photo. Furthermore, some tweets emphasized the need for empathy, considering that Shaw had previously opened up about his mental health struggles and lack of support.
Unfortunately, entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo initially posted a tweet body-shaming Shaw but later apologized for his insensitive words. He acknowledged that his comment was inappropriate and not something he was proud of.
Shaw’s phenomenal innings helped Northamptonshire amass a total of 415 for 8 in their 50 overs, proving to be more than enough as Somerset were bowled out for 328 runs in 45.1 overs.
Overall, Prithvi Shaw’s remarkable achievement on the cricket field should have been the focus of attention. However, the body-shaming backlash he faced highlights the need for society to prioritize talent and mental well-being over physical appearance.
