Off The Field

We Were Not 10 Percent Of What Prithvi Shaw Is At 18 : Virat Kohli

Written by Vipin Darwade

“Fearless” young batting stars Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant will be India’s special weapons during their upcoming tour of Australia, according to captain Virat Kohli.

Hailing the roles of 18-year-old Shaw and 21-year-old Pant in the two-Test victory over the West Indies, Kohli said they had been given free rein to play their natural games.

“We were looking at them playing with a lot of freedom, which they did,” Kohli said after India’s three-day, 10-wicket win on Sunday.

“Prithvi was outstanding, Rishabh was really fearless. I am really happy that these guys have grabbed their chances.”

“I know the conditions were not as challenging as they might get in future, but in Test cricket, the first and the most important thing is confidence and understanding that you can score runs at the Test level,” said Kohli.

“It’s great to have a guy who is so fearless. He is not reckless, he is very confident about his game. He’s a rare talent. I don’t think any of us were even 10 percent of what he is when we were 18, 19” he added.

India will now play five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals against the West Indies before starting a tour of Australia in November.

 

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Vipin Darwade