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 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.
