India vs West Indies: Hopefully, Prithvi Shaw Can Play For India For A Long Long Time: Sourav Ganguly

Lavishing praise on Prithvi Shaw after the debutant’s stunning century in the first Test against West Indies, former India opener Sourav Ganguly hoped that the youngster would serve the country for a ‘long ling time’.

Prithvi Shaw fully justified the hype surrounding him by playing a breathtaking knock on his Test as well as international debut. One of the most sought after youngsters in the world right now, Shaw scored 134. The youngster looked in complete control throughout before offering a return catch to Devendra Bishoo which ended his scintillating knock.

He opened the innings alongside KL Rahul. And while Rahul departed for a duck in the very first over, Shaw looked unfazed on the other hand, hitting a flurry of boundaries to showcase his immense potential.

He reached his hundred off just 99 balls. In doing so, Shaw became 15th Indian batsman to score a hundred on debut. Overall he is the 105th player to achieve the feat in Test cricket. The opener also became the fourth youngest player of all time to hit a debut ton and the second youngest Indian to make a Test century after Sachin Tendulkar.

Impressed with his debut knock, Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on the 18-year old. The legendary batsman pointed out that Shaw’s temperament and attitude was a treat to the eyes.

“What stands out is the way he batted, big temperament. He dominated the bowlers on way to his hundred. Big game, first match, he just played the way he knew,” Ganguly said at the announcement of the fifth edition of Tata Steel Kolkata 25K running event to be held on December 16.

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“It’s positivity, temperament and attitude to batting which is fantastic. Playing the U-19 World Cup and playing a Test match for India is completely different. What I saw today was extremely pleasing to the eye and hopefully, he can play for India for a long long time.”

India vs West Indies: Hopefully, Prithvi Shaw Can Play For India For A Long Long Time: Sourav Ganguly
What stands out is the way Prithvi Shaw batted, big temperament: Sourav Ganguly (India vs West Indies, credits: AP)

With the series in Australia coming later this year, Ganguly said Shaw would do well there as the young player is a solid back-foot player.

“He will go to Australia in a couple of months. I am sure he will do well because he is a good back-foot player. You want to see young players doing well,” Ganguly said.

“It’s still early days, he will have to go the distance going around the world. But congratulations to him and I thought he was absolutely marvellous today.”

India vs West Indies: Hopefully, Prithvi Shaw Can Play For India For A Long Long Time: Sourav Ganguly
Prithvi Shaw was absolutely marvellous today: Sourav Ganguly (India vs West Indies, credits: AP)

India, meanwhile, finished the day on a commanding 364 for 4. Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 72 while giving him company was Rishabh Pant on 17.

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