India vs Windies : Prthivi Shaw dedicates his maiden Test ton to dad Pankaj

Eighteen-year-old Prithvi Shaw made history on Thursday, October 4, by slamming his first Test ton on debut against the Windies in Rajkot and guess who he dedicated his feat? His father Pankaj Shaw for all the sacrifice he has made for his son. Opening the innings, Shaw slammed 134 in 154 balls and guided his side to an advantageous position at stumps on Day 1.

Shaw made his debut as India’s 293rd Test player and he made full use of the opportunity, becoming the youngest Indian batsman to score a century on debut and the second youngest opener to achieve the feat. India ended the day at 364 for 4 at quite an impressive run-rate, thanks to the brisk pace at which Shaw scored.

‘It’s all for dad’

“Feeling really good now, after the hundred. I was a bit nervous to start off but when I got in, I got comfortable. I just tried to play my natural game. I was just thinking that it’s another game for me and then it just happened. I played the balls on merit and kept going from there on. I was thinking about my dad, as he has sacrificed a lot for me. First hundred, it’s all for him,” Shaw said at the end of the day’s play.

Shaw, who stole the headline by scoring 500-odd runs in an innings as a schoolboy a few years ago, lost his mother when he was just four. It was then when his father Pankaj who took up all son’s responsibilities and guided him through the ranks as the cricketer went on making his way.

Shaw, who was disappointed that he could not continue until lunch, said: “Playing for India, it was a big thing for me. I wanted to make this chance count. It was a good challenge for me and I think I did well in front of these guys. From the smaller age I used to play a lot of school cricket, 30 or 35 school games in a year. I have played a lot of cricket in Ranji and it just keeps going on with so much cricket around. All that experience has helped me and I played my game accordingly.”

Shaw added 206 runs for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara (86) after India lost their first wicket in the very first over in the form of KL Rahul (0).

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