Prithvi Shaw took a small but significant step on Monday in his pursuit to qualify for the highest level of cricket.
Having begun his First Class career with a century on Ranji Trophy debut last season, the 17-year-old from Mumbai crafted a hundred that had determination and talent written all over it in his maiden Duleep Trophy match.
Growing in the company of the seasoned Dinesh Karthik, Prithvi did not wilt, and built on the confident start that he enjoyed from the moment he took strike to make 154. The two put on 211 runs for the third wicket as India Red, opting to bat against India Blue, finished the opening day at 317 for five.
Karthik’s brilliant knock was worth 111 runs off 155 balls with 12 fours while Prithvi faced 249 balls and hit 18 fours and a six before falling to a tentative prod towards the fag end of the day.
As the floodlights at the Ekana Stadium glowed, Prithvi produced an innings that reflected his strong cricket upbringing. India Red was given a resplendent launching pad by this gifted opener, who did not strike a false note. The lone jarring note came from the opposition – the poor over-rate, India Blue falling short by 6.3 despite an extension of 45 minutes.
India Blue skipper Suresh Raina made desperate efforts to snare Prithvi with frequent bowling changes. Nothing worked. Prithvi, with unflinching discipline that strengthened his hunger for runs, maintained his compact hold on the game. Motivation came from Karthik’s presence as the dapper wicketkeeper-batsman guided the youngster well.
Prithvi does not come across as the archetypal Mumbai batsman. He does possess a sound defence, especially against the slow bowlers, but does not believe in curbing his natural flair. The ease with which he played the anchor at one end enhanced the reputation his batsmanship already enjoys.
The day’s play was all about Prithvi’s run-making prowess. He cannily picked the deliveries to feast on. Having read the surface well, he avoided shots in front and made merry square of the pitch. He might not have been hustled by the India Blue seamers, but Shaw was in command when tested by the spinners. He was willing to wait for the ball even though at times he took the liberty of leaving the sanctuary of his crease.
He cross-batted only one two occasions – once to swipe left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt over midwicket and next to swat Ishant Sharma over slip to herald his century. Karthik, ever under pressure to prove his credentials, was commitment personified in his innings and deserved credit for not only shouldering the innings but also helping his young partner stay focused.
The scores:
India Red — 1st innings: Prithvi Shaw c Bharath b Bhatt 154, Akhil Herwadkar run out 25, Surya Kumar Yadav c Raina b Bhatt 8, Dinesh Karthik lbw b Wakhare 111, B. Indrajith c Kishan b Bhatt 4, Ishank Jaggi (batting) 9; Extras (lb-4, nb-2) 6. Total (for five wkts. in 83.3 overs): 317.
Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-89, 3-300, 4-306, 5-317.
India Blue bowling: Ishant Sharma 10-1-51-0, Pankaj Singh 11-0-44-0, Akshay Wakhare 16-0-62-1, Bhargav Bhatt 26.3-1-83-3, Suresh Raina 6-0-22-0, Jaydev Unadkat 7-0-32-0, Deepak Hooda 5-1-12-0, Manoj Tiwary 2-1-7-0.
