RAJKOT: When teenager Prithvi Shaw was fast-tracked into the Mumbai Ranji squad for the semi-final, it was termed a brave move although it had its fair share of critics. The 17-year-old opener, who shot into fame when he smashed a 330-ball 546 in a Harris Shield match three years ago, justified the selection on Thursday with a sparkling century (120) as he anchored Mumbai to a six-wicket win over Tamil Nadu and carried the 41-time champions into their 46th Ranji final. Mumbai will meet Gujarat at Indore from January 10.
Prithvi completed his hundred but not before some heart-stopping drama. On 99 he tapped a length delivery off Vijay Shankar straight to the gully fielder, B. Indrajith even as the Mumbai dressing room, who were on the edge, was stunned into silence.
A distraught Prithvi walked a few steps towards the pavilion, but the umpire asked him to wait as he referred to the TV umpire to check the legality of the delivery. TV footage showed medium-pacer Vijay had overstepped the crease and the smile was back on Prithvi’s face. “I absolutely had no clue I was on 99, otherwise I wouldn’t have played that shot,” said Prithvi.
It took just four more balls for Prithvi to complete his maiden first-class ton. Thus, the young opener joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Jatin Paranjpe, Amol Muzumdar et al. to score a century on debut for Mumbai.
