Prithvi Shaw Sizzled With Debut Ton Vs WI In India’s Biggest Test Win

Prithvi Shaw celebrating his maiden Test century [Source: @ICC/x]Prithvi Shaw celebrating his maiden Test century [Source: @ICC/x]

Six years ago on this day, October 6, Prithvi Shaw archived himself into India’s elite record books with a remarkable Test debut. Taking field against West Indies for the first time in Indian colours, Shaw shaped 134 runs from just 154 balls with 19 elegant boundaries at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

Aged 18 years and 329 days at the time, he joined all-time great Sachin Tendulkar among India’s youngest century makers in Tests.

When Prithvi Shaw and Team India shattered records

Prithvi Shaw made his Test debut in October 2018 with a match against West Indies in Rajkot. Opening the innings with KL Rahul, Shaw smeared 19 boundaries in his swift 134-run knock from just 154 balls. His knock, coupled with centuries from Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja elevated the Indian total to 649-9d.

Remarkably, Prithvi Shaw’s 134-run masterclass made him India’s second-youngest cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to make a century in Tests. Moreover, he also became the youngest ever Indian player to list a 100-plus score on Test debut.

Shaw’s innings, as well as demolition jobs from bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav catalysed India’s win by an innings and 272 runs in the match, their largest-ever victory margin in Test cricket to date.

Team India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, also went on to clinch the two-match Test series by a 2-0 scoreline.

While Prithvi Shaw was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his efforts, his 134-run knock remains his only Test century to date. He played five matches for India until he was dropped from the national side in December 2020 following twin failures against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.