Prithvi Shaw reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar, says Mark Waugh

Prithvi Shaw is earning high praise as the teenaged batsman makes an impact with classic strokeplay for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

The 18-year-old, who led India to the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand, has stepped into the shoes of Gautam Gambhir and produced two match-winning knocks at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground as an opener.

The Mumbai batsman’s 25-ball 47 in Wednesday night’s win against Rajasthan Royals has earned him comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar, from ex-Australia batting great Mark Waugh, who was himself famous for his stylish strokeplay.

Analysing the game on the Select Dugout show for official broadcasters Star, Waugh said: “The first thing you notice is his technique, it’s very similar to Sachin Tendulkar. His grip, his stance, he stays very still at the crease and plays all his shots around the wicket. He plays the ball quite late and is quite punchy in his stroke play and has an excellent base to play any shot from any bowler. He’s just so much like Sachin Tendulkar.”

Shaw has been hailed as a special talent since he scored 546 as a 14-year-old, for Rizvi Springfield School in Mumbai Harris Shield tournament in 2013. Last year, he struck a century on Ranji Trophy debut in the semifinals against Tamil Nadu and then became the youngest at 17 to score a hundred on Duleep Trophy debut, eclipsing Tendulkar’s record.

Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop too had compared Shaw’s front foot drive to Tendulkar, while doing commentary at the U-19 World Cup.

Shaw, who was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 1.2 crore, became the joint youngest to score an IPL half-century. He has scored 140 runs in four innings at an amazing strike rate of 166.67.

His latest innings versus Royals, included a brilliant shot off left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat over long-off in Tendulkar-like fashion. In his 62 against Kolkata Knight Riders, he hit a stunning flick off Mitchell Johnson for six.