Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has earmarked Prithvi Shaw as the player to take the Indian team forward over the course of the next five to 10 years.

Shaw, 18, has made a terrific start to his senior international career for India. The young opening batsman became the youngest Indian player to register a Test ton on debut after his sublime 154-ball 134 against the West Indies at Rajkot.

He has followed that debut showing with another fine performance in the second Test at Hyderabad. The right-hander struck a whirlwind 53-ball 70 in India’s first innings before being dismissed by Jomel Warrican.

Taking note of his fine display at Hyderabad, Gavaskar believes Shaw is destined for big things but warned that he could be vulnerable on the bouncy tracks of Australia.

“Prithvi Shaw is the person to take Indian cricket forward in the next 5-10 years. Australia is certainly going to be slightly different, as he has the tendency to open the face of the bat when he plays on the back foot. On bouncier pitches he might be a bit vulnerable in the gully, third man area,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

“Prithvi is someone who thinks centuries, you need such players who want centuries. He is a young man and with experience he will pace the innings and not be in a rush to reach a landmark. But the way he was playing off the back foot and even defending off the back foot, that is a very encouraging sign,” the former India opener added.