Greg Chappell writes letter to struggling Prithvi Shaw: ‘Feel free to reach out’

Legendary Australian cricketer and former India coach Greg Chappell has written a letter to Prithvi Shaw, urging him to overcome the recent setbacks and rekindle his resolve to play for India. Chappell offered his support to Shaw and encouraged the 24-year-old from Mumbai to get in touch if he needs help. The letter from Chappell comes after Shaw was omitted from the Mumbai squad after two rounds of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.

Citing examples from himself and the legendary Don Bradman, Greg Chappell emphasized that the painful feeling of being relegated can be channeled into revitalizing careers, provided the player is willing to work hard.

Shaw’s career began with his local team, Mumbai lost patience with him and left him out of the squad following impressive performances in the opening rounds of the premier domestic red-ball tournament. Officials in Mumbai cricket have cited fitness and discipline issues as the reason for the once supremely talented player’s exclusion at the start of the new season.

“The past does not define you, Prithvi. What matters is what you do from here. You are still in your prime, you have so many years ahead of you to leave your mark. Take this time to visualize the cricketer and the person you want to portray. In a letter quoted by *Times of India*, Chappell said “Surround yourself with people who inspire you to grow,” he wrote.

The former head coach of India stated that he, like many others, was impressed by the way Shaw burst onto the scene in his youth with his exceptional goal-scoring ability.

Following impressive performances at the Under-19 level, Shaw made a dazzling debut in Test cricket when he made his maiden century against the West Indies in 2018, aged just 18. His strong start indicated a bright future and many predicted him to become a mainstay of the Indian national team. His performances in domestic cricket were similarly impressive.

But despite these early successes, Shaw struggled to maintain consistency and meet high expectations set it for him. Hampered by fitness and disciplinary difficulties, he fell off the radar with his last Test appearance in 2020 and his last limited-overs appearance for India in July 2021.

‘MISSINGS DO NOT DEFINE YOU’

Chappell encouraged Shaw by reminding him that elite athletes are not defined by their failures, but by their response to them and their ability to recover.

“Remember, setbacks are part of every great athlete’s story. Even legends like Don Bradman faced the disappointment of being relegated and had to fight their way back. What made them great was not avoiding challenges, but how they responded to them.”

“The shift from outcome-oriented to process-oriented has changed my approach to both training and matches. I encourage you to embark on a similar journey of self-evaluation. It’s easy to blame circumstances, but ultimately your response to those challenges matters. Elite athletes know that discipline and sacrifice are essential; it’s just “It’s about improving your physical game, but also your lifestyle, from diet to conditioning, with the understanding that the pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret,” he added.

Prithvi Shaw played a pivotal role for Mumbai last season, scoring 451 runs in nine innings at an average of 83.52 and a strike rate of 58.5. He even scored a vital fifty for Mumbai against the rest of India in the Iran Cup match.

In a heartfelt note, Chappell reminded Shaw that many people support his return and are ready to support him when necessary.

“Take care of your body, get the right amount of rest and get the strength and focus you need. If you are willing to walk through the door, the door to the Indian team is open for you, but it requires development and determination. I and many others believe in you and are here to support your journey back to the top.” “Know that we are. If there’s any way I can help or you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. I wish you the best on this journey, Greg.”