4 reasons why Prithvi Shaw isn't the next Sachin Tendulkar

A 13-year-old kid hits a mammoth 546 runs in Harris Shield Elite Division, thus setting the maximum score by any batsman in an organized form of cricket. Fast forward 5 years, the kid is now a teen playing for India and the comparisons with the former great Sachin Tendulkar have already started after his exponential rise. This isn’t the first time though that such comparisons are being made.

When Sachin had a dream run during 90s, he was compared with Bradman and even called the next Bradman but he proved them wrong to be known as the first Sachin Tendulkar. The Kohli – Sachin comparison can still be seen in Social Media even after Kohli proved them wrong. The next player is an 18-year-old prodigy, Prithvi Shaw. Shaw hails from Mumbai like Sachin and his striking resemblance with the Master Blaster have been the root for these comparisons.

Although both hold multiple similarities, we list you some reasons why he is not next Sachin Tendulkar but first Prithvi Shaw:

---

#1 The era is different

Prithvi Shaw who debuted in the ongoing Test match against Windies went on to hit a century thus becoming the 3rd youngest to do so. Sachin who debuted against Pakistan hit his first century in Manchester against England. Though both hit a century in their teens, the conditions are largely different. Sachin hit a century in overseas against a quality English attack. Shaw century came against a mediocre Windies attack.

That doesn’t mean Shaw century is less worthy than Sachin but the conditions are different. Sachin played during the times when bowlers had the upper hand. It was impossible to conquer them during his period but that’s not the case with Prithvi Shaw. The current era purely belongs to batsmen and bowlers are having a hard time on the field thus making the comparisons meaningless and illogical.

#2 The mode of approach

Both of them come from Mumbai derby and has tasted early success in international circle. The major difference between them is the way they approach a game. Sachin was not a big hitting and attacking a player. Sachin takes time to settle at the crease, reads the conditions and launches the attack at right time on wrong balls. Shaw is vice-versa to Sachin. Shaw somewhat resembles the approach of Sehwag.

Like Sehwag, Shaw has a lot of aggression and starts his attack from ball one. The IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he hit 63 runs off 36 balls stands a good example for his aggression. The century he hit against Windies also contained a lot of aggression.

#3 The batting position

This point might feel like a bit insignificant but it’s not. The batting position plays an important role in a player’s career. We have seen a number of players who have transformed unimaginably after their batting position changed. Sachin was an opener in ODI while he played at no. 4 in Tests.

Shaw is an out-and-out the opener and is yet to be seen if he can play down the order. Both positions have equal no. of challenges and advantages. Shaw being an opener can take time to settle to read the conditions and accelerate the innings but has to face the new ball which is one of the toughest challenges for any player. Sachin at no. 4 had to save his wicket and also play progressively to carry on the momentum.

As the position is different, their challenges are different. Their scoring will surely involve a varied approach thus providing yet another reason why this comparison is illogical.

#4 After all, it’s too early

Having played only 14 first-class matches, Prithvi Shaw is yet to complete his first Test match. He has a long way to go. He has to face in numerous challenges at home and overseas and hopefully, he has to conquer them. Shaw is yet to make his ODI debut and has to face a separate set of challenges.

He has to maintain his consistency and his fitness. It’s indeed a long way to go and even if he emerges successful he will only be treated as first Prithvi Shaw rather than being termed as next Sachin Tendulkar. Till then let’s wrap the illogical comparisons and witness the “Prithvi Show”.