Stop the comparisons and let Prithvi Shaw be -- Indian captain Virat Kohli on Thursday demanded "some space" for the teenage sensation, whose batting has drawn parallels with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
Hailed as a child prodigy, Shaw had a cracking Test debut against the West Indies team, hitting 134 off 154 balls in the first Test against Rajkot. The knock led to a media frenzy and a series of comments on how he is destined for greatness.
On the eve of the second Test here, the skipper, who tasted stardom quite early himself, took queries on the 18-year-old and called for some space.
"We definitely think he (Shaw) has it in him to play at the highest level and he can repeat what he did in the first game. He is a very keen learner, a sharp guy. He understands situations well. We are all very happy for him," Virat added.
Kohli echoed India opener Gautam Gambhir, who Wednesday said that people should stop comparing him to the great Virender Sehwag.
Tournaments like the IPL, the A tours, live coverage of the U-19 tournaments put youngsters under instant spotlight and Kohli agreed that they are more equipped to handle pressure situations.
"When you get that cap in the morning of the game, there's always butterflies in the stomach and I am sure everyone feels that pressure,” added Virat.
IPL is one of the tournaments that had helped youngsters not get overawed by top flight cricket.
"So I agree with the fact that they have played in situations in the IPL where they play in front of so many people that they are not nervous anymore at the big stage,” said Virat.
The skipper scored his 24th hundred in Rajkot where he ran nearly 100 runs (99) in singles and doubles.
The master batsman believes that he has now reached a stage where he can bat for two days piling up runs in singles and doubles.
That said, the skipper is still ready to punish the loose balls.
However, this strategy comes with a rider according to Kohli’s clarity of mind.
"You don't necessarily need to hit a boundary and if you are convinced about that in your own head then the bowler gets to know as well and then the battle of patience starts,” said Virat.
"I think defence and understanding your off stump and being happy with that set up is the most basic in Test match batting," the skipper added.
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