Veteran India batsman Suresh Raina has heaped praise on Prithvi Shaw’s batting style, saying that the teenage prodigy reminds him of the legendary opener Virender Sehwag.

Shaw created history on Thursday (October 4) by becoming the youngest Indian to score a Test century on debut. Prithvi Shaw, at 18 years and 329 days, notched the three-figure mark off 99 balls against West Indies on Day 1 of the first Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

"He played really well. Nice, hardworking guy. He reminds me of Viru. The brisk rate at which he scores runs and his fearlessness," Raina told IANS.

"The way he played his shots is pure class. He is one for the future," he added.

Shaw surpassed the record of Abbas Ali Baig, who at the age of 20 years 131 days, had scored 112* on his Test debut against England in Manchester in 1959. Prithvi eventually fell for 134, caught and bowled by Devendra Bishoo. His maiden Test innings was laced with 19 boundaries.

When asked if Shaw's form helps solve India's opening slot conundrum in red-ball cricket, Raina said, "It's too early to say that. Let's hope for the best."

In the all-time list, Prithvi Shaw is the fourth youngest player to hit a debut ton and the second youngest Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to make a Test century. Tendulkar was 17 years 112 days old when he hit his first Test century against England at Old Trafford in 1990.

Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful is the youngest debut Test centurion, with Zimbabwe's Hamilton Masakadza and Pakistan's Saleem Malik the other two players to achieve the feat at a younger age than Shaw.