Don’t compare Prithvi with Sehwag: Gambhir
MUMBAI: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir said on Wednesday t hat newcomer Prithvi Shaw should not be weighed down by comparisons with Virender Sehwag after the teenager’s Test century on Test debut against West Indies. He also warned that the No 1 Test side won’t have it easy on its Australia tour at the year-end.
India travel to Australia after the home series against West Indies and play four Tests besides limited-overs games. They are hoping to make amends, having lost their last two Test series in South Africa and England. “Shaw is impressive, very talented - that is why he is there. He started his Test career on a very good note but there will be far bigger and far difficult challenges,” Ganbhir said.
However, he urged everyone not to compare the 18-year-old, the first Indian opener to hit a century on Test debut, with any other player. “Whoever is comparing (Shaw with Sehwag) needs to think before doing that… He has just started his career and there is a long way to go. He has his own individuality and Sehwag has his own. He has played one match and Sehwag over 100 Tests,” he said.
Gambhir hoped the new opening pair — KL Rahul and Shaw with uncapped Mayank Agarwal in contention — set the tone for the team. “It is important for any opening batsman to succeed in Australia because that is where India struggled in England, because there were not good enough partnerships. If you want to succeed overseas or any- where, you need a good platform.”
Virat Kohli’s side was criticised for lack of preparation ahead of the South Africa and England series and Gambhir said that will be key to succeed in Australia. “England could manage to win in Australia (2010-11) because they went one month early. They played three or four warm-up matches.
“If you are going overseas, your bowlers should have bowled 80 to 100 overs so your body gets used to it and your batters need runs under their belt. If you go to Australia and face Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, you have to be ready. They need to rectify mistakes made in England.”