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Prithvi Shaw, the dynamic Indian opener, has captured hearts off the field with a heartwarming social media post alongside his girlfriend Akriti Agarwal, just as anticipation builds for IPL 2026. The 26-year-old batter, recently reunited with Delhi Capitals, shared the adorable reel on Instagram on January 9, 2026, blending romance and faith ahead of the T20 spectacle. This gesture comes at a pivotal time, signalling his renewed focus amid cricketing highs and lows.
Prithvi Shaw’s romantic reel sparks buzz before IPL 2026
Shaw dropped an endearing Instagram reel featuring his love interest, Akriti, emphasizing a divine connection in their relationship. The video showcased tender moments, including a clip from an exotic holiday, with Shaw hinting that their meeting was “God’s plan” – a caption that resonated deeply with fans craving personal insights from the star. Akriti, a rising social media sensation boasting over 3.2 million Instagram followers, brings her own flair to the spotlight, having recently stepped into acting with the Telugu crime thriller Trimukha.
This post not only highlights Shaw’s lighter side but also underscores his emotional grounding as he prepares for a redemption arc in IPL 2026, where Delhi Capitals snapped him up for ₹75 lakh in the auction’s third round after initial setbacks. Fans flooded the comments with heart emojis and cheers, bridging his on-field ambitions with off-field charm in a perfectly timed morale boost.
Here’s the video:
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Shaw’s Vijay Hazare Trophy form fuels IPL hopes
On the cricket pitch, Shaw’s recent Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 outings reflect a mix of promise and inconsistency, setting the stage for his IPL comeback. Playing for Maharashtra after a Mumbai snub, he smashed a brisk 71 off 75 balls (10 fours, 1 six) against Mumbai at Jaipur, contributing to a 140-run opening stand in a 128-run win. This knock marked his 10th fifty in the tournament (average 59.96 from 33 games) and 16th in List A cricket (3,589 runs at 55.21 avg), showcasing his explosive potential. However, recent struggles saw him dismissed for 2 against Chhattisgarh and 1 versus Goa in Round 7, highlighting consistency challenges amid fitness concerns.
Released by Delhi Capitals before IPL 2025 where he went unsold, Shaw’s return to the franchise – his original IPL home from 2018-2024 – offers a fresh shot at reclaiming his spot and impressing national selectors. With IPL 2026 on the horizon, these domestic displays blend flair and grit, positioning him as a wildcard opener ready to silence doubters.
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