Sports

PRITHVI Shaw Scores Ton In Debut Test Match

PRITHVI Pankaj Shaw has slammed Test century on debut in the First Test Match India versus The West Indies in Rajkot becoming the second youngest Indian Test centurion after Sachin Tendulkar. Like Tendulkar, Shaw scored big in school cricket. Shaw got hundreds on Ranji and Duleep trophy as a debutant cricketer. Like the Master blaster, Shaw is also small in height, but already has developed the reputation of scaling the tallest peaks. Watching his performance former India captain Saurav Ganguly commented Shaw has the temperament to play for India for a long time. Shaw with 134 runs off 154 balls and Cheteshwar Pujara with 86 runs off 130) balls laid the foundation for a big score with a 206-run partnership after the early loss of K L Rahul (0).

Skipper Virat Kohli (72 not out off 137) and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane (41 off 92) then took the innings forward with a 105-run stand in the final session, putting India in the driver’s seat before the latter was caught behind off spinner Roston Chase.Kohli looked set for another hundred and was batting alongside Rishabh Pant (17 not out off 21) at close of play. Eighty nine overs were bowled on day one with India scoring at 4.08 runs per over. The West Indies, handed a big setback even before toss with the last-minute withdrawal of captain Jason Holder, looked ordinary at best on the field. Barring pacer Shanon Gabriel (1/66), none of the bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen on a greenish surface which did not seem to do much.Shaw had earlier added another feather in his cap when the Delhi-based franchise in the Indian T20 League bid Rs. 1.2 cr for the untested right-handed opening batsman. With already some records in his kitty at such a young age, Shaw has been kept grounded by his humble background. He still has a long road ahead of him but the signs of being a long, prosperous and triumphant career are all there. The teenage sensation was named in India’s squad for the final two Tests in England but did not get to make his debut in a series which the visitors lost 1-4.He made a dream debut against the West Indies in the series opener, scoring a sublime 134 and, at 18 years and 329 days, becoming the youngest Indian to reach three figures in his maiden appearance.”It was captain and coach’s decision (of when to give me a game). I was ready in England as well but finally got the opportunity here,” said the soft-spoken youngster after stumps on day one.

 

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