Calcutta: Sourav Ganguly, who had scored a hundred on debut at Lord’s, was all praise for the debutant centurion of the day — Prithvi Shaw.
Speaking on the sidelines of a program to launch the fifth edition of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run, Sourav said: “It must be a phenomenal day for him — to get a hundred on Test debut (against the West Indies in Rajkot on Thursday)… He had scored a Ranji Trophy hundred on debut, a Duleep Trophy hundred on debut and now on his India debut. It is phenomenal. I didn’t have a Ranji Trophy debut hundred. But I had a Duleep Trophy debut hundred and then the one at Lord’s on my India debut.
“What stands out is the way he batted. He dominated the bowlers. What impressed me was his temperament. A big game, his first match — and he just played the way he should.”
However, the former India captain sounded a bit cautious about the latest sensation in Indian cricket. “It’s still early days. Shaw will have to go the distance going around the world.”
Sourav said he believed Shaw could do well against Australia Down Under.
“His positive attitude and temperament is superb. Playing the U-19 World Cup and playing a Test math 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.”
With the series Down Under coming up, Sourav said: “If selected, I am sure Shaw will do well in Australia because he is a good back-foot player. You want to see young players doing well.”
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with praise for the youngster.
Excerpts
VVS Laxman: 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.
Ravi Shastri: Well played young man for a free and fearless performance on debut. A bit of Viru and the Master there.
Rohit Sharma: Shaw what a show
Sachin Tendulkar: Lovely to see such an attacking knock in your first innings! Continue batting fearlessly.