India vs Windies | Prithvi Shaw overshadowed Virat Kohli in Rajkot, asserts VVS Laxman

India vs Windies | Prithvi Shaw overshadowed Virat Kohli in Rajkot, asserts VVS Laxman

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BCCI

While praising Prithvi Shaw for his exceptional performance against the Windies, VVS Laxman has claimed that the youngster was able to overshadow Virat Kohli, who scored a century as well, in Rajkot. Laxman was, however, surprised by the struggles of the Windies team on a batting friendly wicket.

India started off the series against Windies with a comprehensive innings and 272-run win in Rajkot. Riding on centuries by Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and debutante Prithvi Shaw, India posted a massive 649/9d in their first innings which was good enough to secure them the win. Despite Kohli scoring more than Shaw, it was the latter who was picked as the Man of the Match for his 134. Laxman pointed to the fact that it is a rare occurrence that the Indian skipper is overshadowed despite scoring a century in international cricket.

"It's not often that a Test hundred by Virat is overshadowed. As well as the captain played, his thunder was stolen by a teenaged debutant. Prithvi Shaw is certainly cut out for bigger things. It was heartwarming to see him produce a spectacular century on debut. The young man wasn't overawed by the occasion or the stage, and played in much the same manner as he does in first-class cricket - with a dominant, attacking mindset. His approach revolves around getting on top of the bowling and imposing himself, and he played true to character. That he understands his game so well at such a tender age, and is also mature way beyond his years, indicate that he one for the long haul," Laxman wrote in his column for TOI.

Laxman was, however, critical of the Windies who were blown away on a batting friendly wicket. The team failed to get past the 200-run mark in both their innings. Only Kieran Powell and Roston Chase were able to cross the fifty run mark as the Windies succumbed to their worst loss against India in Test cricket.

“On a very good track for batting, India must have been taken by surprise at how meekly the Windies capitulated in the first Test. Virat's men might have expected a stiff workout in Rajkot, but the Windies failed to put up a fight, surrendering tamely against the all-round might of the home side," Laxman added.

But Kohli and Shaw were not the only two who garnered attention for their efforts as Ravindra Jadeja, playing in front of his home crowd, brought up his first ever international century after almost a decade in the team. He then went on to claim another four wickets in the two innings to complete a memorable performance.

"I was also delighted for Ravindra Jadeja. He has made massive scores in First Class cricket, and chipped in with half-centuries at the international level. But a maiden Test hundred does wonders for confidence like few other things do, and that it came on his home ground must have made it doubly special for him. It has been a productive last couple of weeks for the all-rounder, and he will look to build on it as we head towards a busy, important next few months," Laxman opined.

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