Virat Kohli praised Prithvi Shaw after young Shaw impressed everyone on his series against West Indies, which India won 2-0 without breaking a sweat. In his debut Test match for India, Prithvi scored 134 runs off 154 balls that played a pivotal role in India’s win. And in Hyderabad, playing under pressure he created loads of expectations, Prithvi scored 70 in the first innings that helped India recover after the three quick wickets.

“He looks like someone who can get you off to the kind of start that you require, especially to make the first mark in any series that you play. It’s great to have a guy who is so fearless, and he isn’t reckless, he’s very confident about his game.”

“You might feel like he might nick off one now, but he hardly nicks the ball. And that we saw in England as well, when he was batting in the nets. He was attacking but he was in control throughout, which is a very rare quality against a new ball. You know, to play so many shots and be in control of all of them. It’s a great sign. I don’t think any of us were even 10 per cent of what he is at 18-19. But he has to build on that,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli also added that both Shaw and Rishabh Pant have been extremely good and have taken a big step towards making their place in the playing XI ahead of the Test series against Australia, which starts on December 6.

“The youngsters, we were looking for them to play with a lot of freedom, which they did. Prithvi was outstanding. Rishabh was really fearless. Areas they need to work, they will obviously be spoken to in that regard. But overall both those guys were really, really good. Solidifying their place in the team and understanding how to play at this level.

“I know the conditions might not be 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. From that point of view, I’m very happy that these guys have taken their chance so well.” said Kohli.