'Gundappa Vishwanath comes to my mind' - Ravi Shastri hails Keegan Petersen for his heroic efforts against India

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is very much impressed with Keegan Petersen’s batting in the recently concluded Test series against India. The 28-year-old had played just two Tests coming into the series and there was not a lot of experience under his belt. However, he showed a lot of composure against the strong Indian bowling attack and was unfortunate to have not got a century after scoring three fifties in the series.

In the series decider at the Newlands, South Africa was in a spot of bother when they lost Dean Elgar at the stroke of stumps on day three with 111 runs more needed. Petersen almost carried the team with his 82 off just 113 deliveries and hit 10 boundaries in the process. He was rightly awarded the man of the match for his 72 in the first innings as well and finished as the highest scorer in the series with 276 runs.

A great world player in the making – Ravi Shastri

Shastri admitted that Petersen reminded him of his childhood hero and former India cricketer Gundappa Vishwanath in terms of batsmanship and expects him to be a big player in the future for the Proteas. Keegan Petersen indeed turned out to be the difference between the sides. It has to be noted that the young batter took a stunning catch as well to dismiss Pujara in the leg slip area that led to India’s downfall in the second innings.

“Keegan Peterson (KP). Excellent initials (@KP24). A great world player in the making. My childhood hero Gundappa Vishwanath comes to mind #SAvIND,”  Shastri tweeted on Twitter.

Keegan Peterson (KP). Excellent initials (@KP24). A great world player in the making. My childhood hero Gundappa Vishwanath comes to mind #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/6T9SuzN6St

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 14, 2022

South Africa chased down the score of 212 with seven wickets in hand and won the three-match Test series 2-1 in the end. Along with Petersen, the Proteas have unearthed another talent in Marco Jansen who finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in his debut Test series. This will be a huge confidence booster to their side which has seen a lot of experienced players moving on from the game.