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Star Prithvi Shaw rises on Indian cricket horizon

Young Mumbaikar scores century on debut and Twitter goes gaga.

Prithvi Shaw became an immediate internet sensation on his very first day in Test cricket. Just 18 years and 329 days old, he is the youngest Indian batsman to score a century on debut. His Mumbai predecessor Sachin Tendulkar, who had also become a cricketing sensation on his debut in 1989, is still the youngest Indian to have scored a Test century, but he scored it in England in his sixth Test appearance.

He is the seventh youngest player in world cricket to have scored a ton on debut and he did it in style - off just 99 deliveries. This is a clear indication that he is a batsman of the new T20 generation accustomed to fast scoring in any format. Shaw’s debut century is the third quickest, after fellow Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan’s century off 85 balls against Australia and West Indies’ Dwayne Smith who scored it off 93 balls.

While Sanjay Manjrekar notes on Twitter that Shaw leaving the first ball in Test cricket alone was an important stroke in that format, Mohammed Kaif comments - “This boy is class and a lambi race ka ghoda - Prithvi Shaw so good to watch.”

Amitabh Bachchan, a keen cricket fan, was quick to take note saying, “Another cricketing wonder emerges” and VVS Laxman welcomes the lad saying “Great to see a 18-year-old go out and play his natural game. Got a bright future.”

The comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar are inevitable. Very much like the wonder of 1989 came with a century on debut in Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, Prithvi has emulated the Indian cricket prodigy in achieving everything when so young. At the age of 14, Prithvi had scored 546 for his school.

Tweet Talk

Mohammad Kaif@ MohammadKaif
This boy is class and a lambi race ka ghoda- Prithvi Shaw. So good to watch #IndvWI

Sanjay Manjrekar@
sanjaymanjrekar

Congratulations to Prithvi Shaw for a hundred on debut. Love the fact that he can score at a strike rate of 100 just batting instinctively without looking to over attack or by
taking risks.
#PrithviShaw

Harsha Bhogle@
bhogleharsha

Hundred on Ranji debut, hundred on Duleep debut, hundred on Test debut. Know another student from that school.....

Rohit Sharma@ ImRo45
Shaw what a show ?? @PrithviShaw

Harbhajan Turbanator@
harbhajan_singh

What a moment! 18 years of age, debuting for India's test cricket squad and scores a century! Well done Prithvi Shaw! #INDvWI @PrithviShaw

Michael Vaughan@
MichaelVaughan

Wow .. 18 yrs old @PrithviShaw .. Test on debut .. Looks like #India have another superstar that has arrived on the scene !!! #INDvWI

Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt
Lovely to see such an attacking knock in your first innings, @prithvishaw! Continue batting fearlessly. #INDvWI

BCCI@BCCI
What a moment this is for young @PrithviShaw
Brings up his FIRST Test off 99 deliveries

Amitabh Bachchan
@ SrBachchan

Prithvi Shaw !! just 18 years old .. another cricketing wonder emerges ! century in his opening Test International game ! Only congratulations not enough .. may you continue to rise and bring even greater honour to the game and to INDIA

VVS Laxman@ VVSLaxman281
Wonderful century on debut for Prithvi Shaw. Great to see a 18 year old go out and play his natural game. Got a bright future. #IndvWI

Virender Sehwag@
virendersehwag

It’s been the Shaw show. Congratulations Prithvi Shaw, abhi toh bas shuruaat hai , ladke mein bahut dum hai #IndvWI

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