India and West Indies began the first Test of the two-match series at Rajkot which saw India handing a debut to 18-year –old batting sensation Prithvi Shaw.
India won the toss and Virat Kohli chose to bat first on a typical Rajkot pitch. Shannon Gabriel landed an early blow to India by getting KL Rahul out LBW on the fourth ball of the first over. But after that, it was the Shaw-Pujara show, as the duo forged an unbeaten century stand for the second wicket.
Shaw looked confident and scored runs all over the ground on the off and leg side off both quick bowlers and spinners. He was sure of his foot movement in the front and on the back foot. A lot was expected from the young Shaw and he delivered in kind, scoring his first century in Tests. He became the second youngest centurion in Tests for India after Sachin Tendulkar and got his century with a strike rate of over a hundred.
The Cricket fraternity was in awe of this young batsman and applauded his century in tweets.
Here are some:
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 pic.twitter.com/e86XPsg6ho
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 4, 2018
Hundred on Ranji debut, hundred on Duleep debut, hundred on Test debut. Know another student from that school.....
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 4, 2018
WOW, how impressive is @PrithviShaw. ???? on debut #IndvWI
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) October 4, 2018
100 on debut at SR of 100+ #PrithviShaw #INDvWI
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 4, 2018
What a moment! 18 years of age, debuting for India's test cricket squad and scores a century! ???? Well done Prithvi Shaw! #INDvWI @PrithviShaw
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 4, 2018
Wow .. 18 yrs old @PrithviShaw .. Test ???? on debut .. Looks like #India have another superstar that has arrived on the scene !!! #INDvWI
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 4, 2018
Someone forgot to tell @PrithviShaw it’s his debut! A commanding hundred and playing like it’s his 100th Test! Special talent #INDvWI
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) October 4, 2018
Someone forgot to tell @PrithviShaw it’s his debut! A commanding hundred and playing like it’s his 100th Test! Special talent #INDvWI
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) October 4, 2018
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
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 4, 2018