Indian cricketer Prithvi Shawonce hailed as a prodigy, has been making headlines off the field amid a challenging phase in his career. A few days earlier, Shaw was spotted celebrating the birthday of his rumoured girlfriend, Akriti agarwalan influencer and actress, sparking buzz on social media. The celebration, marked by viral photos and videos, showcased Shaw’s personal life at a time when his professional journey faces scrutiny.

On the occasion, Shaw shared a photo with Akriti on his social media accounts, extending his birthday wishes to her. In the image posted on his Instagram account, Shaw was seen celebrating with Akriti and feeding her the cake. “Happy Birthday Akriti Agarwal,” he wrote, along with a heart emoji.

Earlier, a video of  Shaw went viral on social media. In the short clip, he was seen coming out of a restaurant in Mumbai with Akriti, who recently turned 22.

Once compared with legendary Sachin TendulkarShaw is mercilessly trolled on social media for every misstep. His batting slumps, fitness issues and personal choices are a primary target across platforms like X. Memes mock his weight, while harsh comments tear into his inconsistent performances and personal life. His struggles with form and injuries have made him an easy target. The relentless online barrage spares no aspect of his life, reflecting the brutal side of social media, where young athletes are hounded without mercy, their every flaw amplified for public entertainment.

In 2024, Shaw has spoken about the emotional toll, saying, “If people make memes on me, I see them as well. I sometimes get hurt,” and questioned, “What wrong have I done?”

In a video he said: “Sidha Ignore Kar Deta Hoon (I just ignore),” but also admitted, “At times, it hurts when you see or come across things about you that are not correct”

Shaw’s cricketing career in turmoil

After a sublime start to his cricketing career, Shaw has seen a horrific downfall on multiple fronts. The 25-year-old, who scored a Test century on debut in 2018, has struggled with form, fitness and discipline. Dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy squads, Shaw’s poor performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, including two ducks, have dimmed his comeback prospects. Going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, despite a low base price, underscores his fall. Off-field controversies and fitness issues have compounded his woes, leaving the former U-19 World Cup-winning captain at a career crossroads.