Editor’s note: *This was published originally after Prithvi Shaw’s fourth century against Odisha, the numbers have been updated to reflect his latest century in round six against Andhra Pradesh.
Prithvi Shaw is enjoying a phenomenal start to his first-class career. The 17-year-old has already scored five* centuries in his seven*-match career so far. Among Indians, only Sachin Tendulkar, another Mumbai batsman, had more first class centuries (7) before turning 18.
He celebrated turning 18 with a century in the sixth round as well against Andhra Pradesh.
In the fifth round, he reached the triple figure mark once again as Mumbai piled on the runs against Odisha in their Ranji Trophy match in Bhubaneshwar. Shaw scored 105 runs on the first day, before being dismissed for 105 by Basant Mohanty.
His knock came of 153 balls with 18 boundaries. After a slow start, he took the attack to the bowlers as India international Ajinkya Rahane watched from the other end with a more sedate innings.
The Mumbai youngster averages 53.8* in his short career so far and has already made a huge impact on the domestic circuit. His fourth century, in Mumbai’s previous match against Tamil Nadu, saw him take on India’s leading spinner R Ashwin in style.
While he made his debut for Mumbai last season in the Ranji Trophy semifinal, the decision of the the national selectors and under-19 coach Rahul Dravid to not consider Prithvi Shaw for the Asian U-19 squad to let him concentrate on the Ranji Trophy season has proved to be the right one.
The ongoing fourth round of Ranji matches is only start of the season, and if the teenager can continue in the same vein, he could very well notch a few more records.
Here’s how he compares to Tendulkar, who made his debut for Mumbai at a much younger age of 15.
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