Cricket

Prithvi Shaw, the prodigious Indian opener, has faced a series of setbacks in recent times, including being dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness and conduct issues. However, former Australia captain and India coach Greg Chappell has extended his support to Shaw, urging him to embark on a journey of self-reflection and prioritize processes over results.Chappell, who witnessed Shaw's exceptional talent as India's Under-19 captain in 2018, believes that the 24-year-old is still in his prime and has the potential to overcome these challenges. He emphasized the importance of shifting from a result-oriented mindset to a process-oriented one, focusing on improving technique and consistency rather than chasing immediate success.Shaw's recent struggles include a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign with Delhi Capitals, where he managed only 198 runs in eight games. He has also been plagued by injuries and disciplinary issues, which have hindered his progress. However, Chappell believes that these setbacks can serve as turning points in Shaw's career, helping him to develop resilience and a stronger work ethic.Chappell advised Shaw to surround himself with positive influences, take care of his physical and mental well-being, and visualize the player he aspires to become. He emphasized that the door back to the Indian team remains open, but it requires a commitment to growth and change.Shaw's journey has been marked by both brilliance and adversity. He burst onto the international scene with a century on debut against the West Indies in 2018, but has since struggled to maintain consistency. Chappell's guidance and support could prove invaluable as Shaw navigates the challenges ahead and strives to fulfill his immense potential.

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a prodigious batting talent, has faced a significant setback in his career, being dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness concerns. However, amidst the adversity, he has received an unexpected source of support from former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell.In a heartfelt letter, Chappell expressed his belief in Shaw's potential and urged him to view this setback as a turning point. He reminded Shaw of the challenges faced by legendary cricketers like Don Bradman and himself, emphasizing that setbacks are an integral part of an athlete's journey.Chappell advised Shaw to focus on self-reflection and to prioritize process over results. He encouraged him to develop a strong mindset, stay present in the moment, and cultivate a disciplined lifestyle. He stressed the importance of surrounding himself with positive influences and seeking support when needed.Chappell acknowledged that Shaw's return to the Indian team would require a commitment to growth and change. He urged him to visualize his goals, take care of his physical and mental well-being, and embrace the challenges ahead.Chappell concluded his letter by expressing his unwavering belief in Shaw's abilities and offered his support. He emphasized that Shaw has the potential to reach his full potential and that he is not alone in his journey.

Prithvi Shaw, the prodigious Indian opener, has faced a setback in his career after being dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness and disciplinary concerns. The exclusion has sparked a debate about the role of physical appearance in determining a player's fitness in cricket.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has come to Shaw's defense, arguing that weight or body shape should not be the primary measure of fitness. He points to the example of Sarfaraz Khan, who despite facing scrutiny over his physique, recently scored a brilliant 150 against New Zealand.Gavaskar emphasizes that cricket fitness should be judged by a player's ability to perform on the field, such as scoring runs or bowling overs. He questions the relevance of body fat percentage, stating that it is not a reliable indicator of a player's fitness or ability.Sources indicate that Shaw has been irregular in attending training sessions and has been observed as being overweight. However, Gavaskar believes that these issues can be addressed through proper guidance and support. He urges Shaw to focus on his fitness and discipline, while also reminding him of his immense talent.The exclusion from the Ranji Trophy squad is a wake-up call for Shaw, who has been struggling to regain his form in recent times. He has been dropped from the Indian team and has faced criticism for his inconsistent performances.Shaw's exclusion has also raised questions about the culture within the Mumbai team. Some reports suggest that there may be a lack of discipline and accountability, which could be contributing to the team's poor performance in the Ranji Trophy.It remains to be seen how Shaw will respond to this setback. He has the talent and potential to be one of the best batsmen in the world, but he needs to address his fitness and discipline issues if he wants to fulfill his potential.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign has suffered a major setback as star batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the upcoming match against Tripura due to a shoulder injury. The injury comes as a blow to Iyer's comeback aspirations after a lengthy absence from the game due to a back injury.Iyer, who scored a century in Mumbai's last Ranji match against Maharashtra, had expressed concerns about his body's ability to withstand the rigors of consecutive matches. He emphasized the need to prioritize his physical well-being, stating, "I have to listen to my body because I know the amount of threshold I've carried over the last few years."The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that Iyer did not travel with the team to Agartala for the Tripura match. The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Iyer, who underwent back surgery in London in 2022.Despite his recent return to form, Iyer has lost his place in the Indian team in both Test and T20 formats. He had hoped to earn a national comeback with strong performances in domestic cricket, but the shoulder injury has put those plans on hold.Iyer admitted that he had been fearful of his back injury flaring up again, but assured that he had trained extensively to improve his fitness. He also acknowledged that he had been perceived as shirking the longer format, but emphasized that he had addressed that issue by playing seven consecutive first-class matches.The 29-year-old stressed the importance of managing his body wisely, stating, "I have to be smart in terms of what decisions I make. I need to see to it that my body is in the best shape possible."Iyer's absence will be a significant loss for Mumbai, who are looking to build on their impressive start to the Ranji Trophy season. The team will now have to rely on other batsmen to step up and fill the void left by their star player.

Prithvi Shaw, the enigmatic opening batter for Mumbai, has been dropped from the squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy Group A match against Tripura. The decision was made after a meeting between the selectors and the coach, who discussed areas where Shaw needs to improve, including his fitness.Shaw has struggled for form this season, scoring just 139 runs in six innings at the top of Mumbai's order. His fitness has also been a concern since he returned from a knee injury earlier this year.The Mumbai selectors have recalled veteran Akhil Herwadkar, who last played for Mumbai in November 2018. Herwadkar will compete with Angkrish Raghuvanshi for the opening slot alongside Ayush Mhatre.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav (personal commitments) and Tanush Kotian (India A duty) will also miss the next game. Left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari has been recalled to the squad after a hiatus.The Mumbai squad for the match against Tripura is as follows:* Ajinkya Rahane (Capt.)* Ayush Mhatre* Angkrish Raghuvanshi* Akhil Herwadkar* Shreyas Iyer* Siddhesh Lad* Suryansh Shedge* Hardik Tamore (wk)* Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk)* Shams Mulani* Karsh Kothari* Himanshu Singh* Shardul Thakur* Mohit Avasthi* Juned Khan* Royston Dias