"Dear Prithvi... This is just a brief note to congratulate you on your stupendous achievement of scoring 546 runs. Well batted! Continue to be run-hungry always and remember that a century is just the first course. With good wishes, God bless!" reads the letter, of which TOI has an exclusive copy.
This is not the first time that Gavaskar has written an encouraging letter to a promising cricketer. Back in August 1987, he had written to console Sachin Tendulkar after the youngster was denied the 'Best Bombay Junior Cricketer award'. "Don't be disappointed at not getting the Best Junior Cricketer award. If you look at the past award winners, you will find one name missing and that person has not done badly in Test cricket!" Gavaskar wrote to Tendulkar. The former captain of course was referring to himself.
Prithvi, meanwhile, is busy doing what he is slowly acquiring a reputation for: piling on big scores. On Tuesday, he smashed 188 for Rizvi Springfield against Hansraj Morarji at the Azad Maidan in a Harris Shield game. This was his first outing in the Harris Shield after the epic 546, which too came at the Azad Maidan.
Interestingly, after that record feat, Prithvi was out for a first ball duck while playing for Parel Sporting against National in the Kanga League.
"I am delighted to have received this letter from Gavaskar Sir. I have seen footage of his batting and I am a huge fan of him. I shall treasure this letter for the rest of my life," Prithvi told TOI on Tuesday.
Gavaskar's company PMG, who has signed up Prithvi, will reward the youngster with Rs 1 lakh. For the past four years, Prithvi has been mentored by veteran journalist Makarand Waingankar. "The idea behind him signing for PMG is to let Prithvi spend as much time with Gavaskar so that he can pick his brains," Waingankar told TOI on Tuesday. "Makarand sir has been a huge help," Prithvi said.
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