Debutant Shaw hits sparkling ton as India dominate
Teenage batting prospect Prithvi Shaw struck a breezy century on debut to put hosts India on course for a big firstinnings total in the opening test against West Indies at Rajkot on Thursday.
After captain Virat Kohli had won the toss and opted to bat, India made the most of a docile pitch and a toothless West Indies attack to reach 364 for four at the close. Shaw, 18, was out for 134 off 154 balls and added 206 for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, who made 86, before both batsmen fell in the second session.
At stumps Kohli was unbeaten on 72 with wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant not out on 17 and India already in the driving seat in the match.
With the hosts opting for three frontline spinners, West Indies’ stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite will be aware that his side face a stiff task of having to bat last on a pitch already offering some turn for the slow bowlers. West Indies, already without Kemar Roach after the pace spearhead returned home due to a family bereavement, suffered a further setback when captain Jason Holder was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Shannon Gabriel provided some early cheer for the tourists, however, when he sent back Lokesh Rahul leg before without scoring in the first over of the day, but that proved to be the sole success for the Caribbean side in the first session.
The depleted West Indies attack did not have enough teeth to trouble Shaw and Pujara as they plundered runs at will after Rahul’s departure.