Prithvi Shaw stole Virat Kohli's thunder in Rajkot, says VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman was extremely pleased to see young Prithvi Shaw score a 'spectacular' century on debut in Rajkot against West Indies in the first Test.

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Prithvi Shaw stole Virat Kohli's thunder in Rajkot, says VVS Laxman
Prithvi Shaw is the first Indian to score centuries on Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Test debut (@BCCI Photo)

In Short

  • Laxman said that Shaw's century overshadowed Kohli's ton in Rajkot
  • Shaw slammed 134 off 154 balls on his Test debut
  • Kohli (139 off 230 balls) scored his 24th Test century

Former India batsman VVS Laxman heaped praise on young Prithvi Shaw after his sensational Test debut against West Indies in Rajkot last week.

Shaw slammed a 99-ball 100 and then went on to score 134 off 154 balls before falling to Devendra Bishoo after the ball stopped on the pitch and came to him late and he failed to adjust and handed the leg-spinner an easy caught and bowled chance.

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In the process, Shaw became the youngest Indian to slam a century on Test debut and also the first Indian to score centuries on his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Test debut.

It was riding on his hundred and captain Virat Kohli's ton, that India went onto a position of power before Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja impressed everyone with their hitting and scored 92 and 100 not out respectively.

Also read - Couldn't have imagined such a debut: Prithvi Shaw after winning man-of-the-match award

Kohli played a brilliant knock of 139 to register his 24th ton in red-ball cricket -- the fourth highest by an Indian in whites. Kohli's innings was filled with well-timed shots and perfectly executed drives -- a trademark Kohli innings. But, according to Laxman, Shaw's was better.

Laxman, in his column for Times of India, wrote that Shaw's 'spectacular' century overshadowed the Indian captain's efforts at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium and it was heart-warming to see the Mumbaikar to produce such an effort.

Also Read - Prithvi Shaw showed he is different, really delighted for him: Virat Kohli

"It's not often that a Test hundred by Virat is overshadowed. As well as the captain played, his thunder was stolen by a teenaged debutant. Prithvi Shaw is certainly cut out for bigger things. It was heart-warming to see him produce a spectacular century on debut. The young man wasn't overawed by the occasion or the stage, and played in much the same manner as he does in first-class cricket - with a dominant, attacking mindset.

"His approach revolves around getting on top of the bowling and imposing himself, and he played true to character. That he understands his game so well at such a tender age, and is also mature way beyond his years, indicate that he one for the long haul," Laxman said.

Also read - Prithvi Shaw youngest Indian to hit a century on Test debut

Ravindra Jadeja scored his maiden international hundred after 9 years (AP Photo)

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The 43-year-old also praised Ravindra Jadeja for his all-round show at his home ground in the first Test.

Also read - Ravindra Jadeja relieved after maiden hundred in 218 international matches

Jadeja slammed his maiden international hundred in his 218th game for India and also impressed on the field with his bowling and agility on the field. Laxman opines that Jadeja's maiden ton in Tests will give him immense confidence and he can build on from here and look to cement a place in the Indian side across formats.

"I was also delighted for Ravindra Jadeja. He has made massive scores in First Class cricket, and chipped in with half-centuries at the international level. But a maiden Test hundred does wonders for confidence like few other things do, and that it came on his home ground must have made it doubly special for him.

"It has been a productive last couple of weeks for the all-rounder, and he will look to build on it as we head towards a busy, important next few months," Laxman said.

India will next be seen in action at Laxman's home turf at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, where they will take on the West Indies in the second and final Test match of the series.