Hyderabad, Oct. 5: Prithvi Shaw will lead Maharashtra in their opening match of the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy season against Services, with regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad unavailable due to India A commitments.
Maharashtra will begin their Group C campaign against Services in New Delhi on October 11. The Maharashtra Cricket Association has named a 16-member squad for the match, with Shaw taking over the captaincy for the opening fixture.
Gaikwad is set to captain India A in a three-match unofficial ODI series against Australia A in Puducherry. The matches are scheduled for October 6, 9 and 11, leaving him unavailable for Maharashtra’s Ranji opener. All-rounder Arshin Kulkarni is also part of the India A squad.
Prithvi Shaw Returns to Maharashtra Leadership Role
Shaw joined Maharashtra ahead of the 2025–26 domestic season after leaving Mumbai. He made an impact in his first season with the team, scoring 537 runs to finish as Maharashtra’s leading run-scorer, according to the supplied report.
The opener also has experience leading teams at major tournaments. He captained India to the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup title.
Shaw has also led Mumbai in domestic cricket, including during their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy season, when the team reached the final.
Maharashtra and Services are placed in Elite Group C alongside Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala and Odisha.
Maharashtra Squad for Ranji Trophy Opener
Prithvi Shaw (captain), Sachin Dhas, Digvijay Patil, Ankeet Bawane, Harshal Kate, Siddhesh Veer, Saurabh Navale (wicketkeeper), Vicky Ostwal, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Pradeep Dadhe, Tanay Sanghvi, Vaibhav Darkunde, Hitesh Walunj, Rishikesh Sonawane and Atharva Dharmadhikari.
Maharashtra will look to begin the new Ranji Trophy season strongly under Shaw’s leadership as the team prepares for its opening Group C fixture against Services.
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