‘Setbacks are part of every great athlete’s story’ – Greg Chappell writes to Prithvi Shaw over crashing career

Former Australia captain and India coach Greg Chappell contacted out-of-favour opener Prithvi Shaw over his career crashing due to fitness and disciplinary issues. Dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad (after two rounds) for the ongoing season due to fitness concerns, Shaw, once tipped to be India’s next ‘big thing’, is nowhere to be found in this conversation for a long time.

Per a report in the Pune Media, Chappell wrote to Shaw, urging him to get over his recent setbacks on and off the field, and offering him assistance to get back on the right path. 

Chappell, who, during his time with the Indian Cricket Team, made headlines for all good, bad and ugly reasons, cited examples of the great Sir Don Bradman and himself, saying both revived their careers after being dropped at a certain point.  

Meanwhile, Shaw’s downfall began when Mumbai lost trust in him following his underwhelming performances in the first two rounds this season; however, they cited fitness and disciplinary issues as reasons behind his omission. Moreover, Shaw’s IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals, also decided against retaining him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

“The past doesn’t define you, Prithvi. It’s what you do from here that matters. You’re still in your prime, with so many years ahead to make your mark. Take this time to visualise the cricketer and person you want to become. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to improve,” Chappell wrote in a letter, as quoted by the Pune Media.

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

Chappell wrote asking Shaw to embark on a journey of self-reflection, which led Bradman and himself to find their right paths in professional cricket.

“That shift – from results-focused to process-focused – transformed my approach to both practice and matches. I encourage you to embark on a similar journey of self-reflection. It’s easy to blame circumstances, but ultimately, your response to these challenges will define your path. Elite athletes know that discipline and sacrifice are essential. It’s about honing not just your physical game, but your lifestyle – from diet to fitness – with the understanding that the pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret,” Chappell wrote.

Meanwhile, Shaw made his India debut six years ago, scoring a Test hundred in his maiden outing against West Indies in Rajkot. Shaw played in five Tests for India, including his failed stint Down Under the last time. The right-handed batter, however, made a name for himself in the English County since last year, scoring the bulk of runs, but failed to fight for a spot in the Indian Team across formats.

In the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai last season, Shaw played a handy role in helping his team clinch the domestic title, scoring 451 runs across nine innings, averaging 83.52 and striking at 58.5. Even against the Rest of India (ROI), Shaw hit a vital fifty for Mumbai. 

‘Take care of your body’

Chappell concluded by asking Shaw to take care of his body and build strength and focus to move out of this dark area.

“Take care of your body, get the right amount of rest, and build the strength and focus you need. The door back to the Indian team is open if you’re willing to walk through it, but it requires a commitment to growth and change. Know that I – and many others – believe in you and are here to support your journey back to the top. If there’s ever a way I can help or if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. You have everything within you to reach your full potential. Wishing you all the best on this journey. Regards, Greg,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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