Prithvi Shaw became the youngest Indian to score a century on his Test debut on Thursday. The former India U-19 captain scored 134 runs on Day 1 of the first Test against Windies at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
The 18-year-old opener took only 99 deliveries to reach three figures, the third-fastest in a Test bow in terms of balls faced, as the Windies struggled in the absence of Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph.
Shaw struck 19 boundaries in an outstanding knock and the prodigy was elated after grasping his opportunity on an opening day of the two-match series that ended with India 364/4, Cheteshwar Pujara making 86 and Virat Kohli 72 not out.
What a moment this is for young @PrithviShaw 👏💪
Brings up his FIRST Test 💯 off 99 deliveries. pic.twitter.com/fBN4VQP2fD
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 4, 2018
Shaw, who batted like one not appearing in his maiden Test, dedicated the hundred to his father, who raised him as a single parent after his mother passed way when he was just four.
“I never thought of making my India debut right after the U-19 win. I took it match by match. It finally happened today. I dedicate this innings to my father. He has made a lot of sacrifice for me. I cannot even describe it now,” Shaw said while speaking to the official broadcasters at the end of the day.
“I was thinking about my dad, as he has sacrificed a lot for me. Whenever I scored a hundred I thought of him and this is my first Test hundred, it’s all for him,” added Prithvi.
When asked what his father said to him before the game, Shaw added: “He doesn’t know that much about cricket. He just said ‘go and enjoy your debut’. Play like another game”.
